By CHRISTINE TILP
Don’t forget to praise him!” is a phrase I use quite often when
working with dog owners. In my initial consultation, I go over
some basic “rules” of dog training and the importance of
praise is one of them. People tend to always praise a dog
when the dog does something good (as they should!) But
owners have to realize that they should praise when the dog
stops doing the incorrect thing! It’s a hard thing to remember
and get in the habit of doing, but it goes a long way in the
dog’s learning.
If your dog is jumping up on you, and you tell him “Down”, and
he gets down, praise him! You are not praising the jumping,
but the act of getting down, which is what you asked for.
Any type of correction or praise must be down immediately or
within two seconds of the behavior in order for it to be effective.
So if you ask for a “Down” and you get it, praise! Isn’t that what you wanted? You will find
your dog start to understand what makes you happy. Making you happy is really what your
dog wants to do. He just sometimes does not understand how to do it.
What exactly is praise? Praise is not a little pat on the head or a monotone “good dog”.
Dogs are too smart for that! The tone of your voice is important. A high pitched happy tone
is a must for praise. Dogs respond to tone of voice more so than the actual words you
are saying. So mean it if you are praising him. Let him know you are happy for what he
just did, immediately after he does it.
Physical praise can also be used. A good tummy rub when your dog rolls over or comes
to you really works. Don’t use physical praise if it will interfere with the dog’s
concentration, however. For example, if your dog is a bit hyper, and you want him to sit
and stay, petting the dog will most likely only get him excited and break the stay
command. In these cases, a small tidbit of food along with some verbal praise should
get the job done.
There are a lot of things to remember when training your dog. But one of the most
important lessons to learn is to praise, even after a correction. I often tell people that the
correction takes place to give you the opportunity to praise!
And you men out there….don’t be embarrassed to really raise the tone of your voice! Your
family may make fun of you, but you will have a dog that is very responsive and happy that
he pleased you.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF DOG TRAINING
1. NEVER hit or strike your dog under any circumstance.
2. Timing is crucial. Praise/reward, or correction must be done within two seconds of the
dog’s behavior or it will be ineffective.
3. Think like your dog when teaching him something. See things from his perspective,
not just yours.
4. Always be CONSISTENT. Nothing is more detrimental to your dog’s positive behavior
development than inconsistency.
5. Repetition, repetition, repetition. Dogs learn by repetition of an act. Show them over
and over again.
6. Anger has no place in training. Be patient and understanding.
7. Never use your dog’s name against him, as in yelling it at him.
8. Praise him! You’ll get amazing results, more so than punishing your dog when he
doesn’t do what you want. Praise even when a negative behavior stops. The stopping of
the behavior is what you wanted, so praise that.
9. Don’t use the word “no” for everything he does wrong. This will only become confusing
to him. Dogs can learn an amazing amount of words.
10. Remember…your dog is trying to do the right thing. He doesn’t always know what that
is. He isn’t human, nor does he understand the language fully. He isn’t being spiteful
(…that’s a human emotion). TEACH, DON’T PUNISH.
First published Sept., 24, 2005 in The Animal Companion.
Don’t forget to praise him!” is a phrase I use quite often when
working with dog owners. In my initial consultation, I go over
some basic “rules” of dog training and the importance of
praise is one of them. People tend to always praise a dog
when the dog does something good (as they should!) But
owners have to realize that they should praise when the dog
stops doing the incorrect thing! It’s a hard thing to remember
and get in the habit of doing, but it goes a long way in the
dog’s learning.
If your dog is jumping up on you, and you tell him “Down”, and
he gets down, praise him! You are not praising the jumping,
but the act of getting down, which is what you asked for.
Any type of correction or praise must be down immediately or
within two seconds of the behavior in order for it to be effective.
So if you ask for a “Down” and you get it, praise! Isn’t that what you wanted? You will find
your dog start to understand what makes you happy. Making you happy is really what your
dog wants to do. He just sometimes does not understand how to do it.
What exactly is praise? Praise is not a little pat on the head or a monotone “good dog”.
Dogs are too smart for that! The tone of your voice is important. A high pitched happy tone
is a must for praise. Dogs respond to tone of voice more so than the actual words you
are saying. So mean it if you are praising him. Let him know you are happy for what he
just did, immediately after he does it.
Physical praise can also be used. A good tummy rub when your dog rolls over or comes
to you really works. Don’t use physical praise if it will interfere with the dog’s
concentration, however. For example, if your dog is a bit hyper, and you want him to sit
and stay, petting the dog will most likely only get him excited and break the stay
command. In these cases, a small tidbit of food along with some verbal praise should
get the job done.
There are a lot of things to remember when training your dog. But one of the most
important lessons to learn is to praise, even after a correction. I often tell people that the
correction takes place to give you the opportunity to praise!
And you men out there….don’t be embarrassed to really raise the tone of your voice! Your
family may make fun of you, but you will have a dog that is very responsive and happy that
he pleased you.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF DOG TRAINING
1. NEVER hit or strike your dog under any circumstance.
2. Timing is crucial. Praise/reward, or correction must be done within two seconds of the
dog’s behavior or it will be ineffective.
3. Think like your dog when teaching him something. See things from his perspective,
not just yours.
4. Always be CONSISTENT. Nothing is more detrimental to your dog’s positive behavior
development than inconsistency.
5. Repetition, repetition, repetition. Dogs learn by repetition of an act. Show them over
and over again.
6. Anger has no place in training. Be patient and understanding.
7. Never use your dog’s name against him, as in yelling it at him.
8. Praise him! You’ll get amazing results, more so than punishing your dog when he
doesn’t do what you want. Praise even when a negative behavior stops. The stopping of
the behavior is what you wanted, so praise that.
9. Don’t use the word “no” for everything he does wrong. This will only become confusing
to him. Dogs can learn an amazing amount of words.
10. Remember…your dog is trying to do the right thing. He doesn’t always know what that
is. He isn’t human, nor does he understand the language fully. He isn’t being spiteful
(…that’s a human emotion). TEACH, DON’T PUNISH.
First published Sept., 24, 2005 in The Animal Companion.
| Subscribe Today! Gotta get your Animal Companion! |
| In Praise Of Praise - The Ten Tenets Of Training |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Christine Tilp is owner of Ain’t Misbehavin’ Dog Training in Bergen County. She can be reached at www.aint- misbehavin.com. |
