What's the best way to train a dog?

[BertieBotts]

DP and I are possibly thinking of getting a dog at some point in the future. It will be a few years I think, as we can't have dogs in our current house, but I like to be prepared

I've never owned a dog and know next to nothing about them. DP's family are big dog lovers and have always had dogs. Now, the subject came up about training dogs, because I've seen members of his family threaten the dog with a slap and give one on (very rare) occasion, not hard, and 99% of the time a verbal command was enough for the dog, but still. I thought this was really old fashioned these days? The only thing I could offer was that I vaguely remembered something on a dog training TV programme about using a clicker - I wasn't sure if the clicker was a reward thing or a negative assocation type thing, DP said he thought this seemed more cruel (if it was meant as a punishment/deterrent) because dogs have very sensitive hearing and so it was like it was going straight for their weakness.

So I'd just be interested to know what training methods people recommend and what general thoughts are these days?

Destroying furninture? getting in fights? eating rubbish? chasing deer?
dogs do that?
All lies, don't know who told you that...

I think we've been lucky, but our 9 month old has only ever bitten the furniture once.

You just teach them that toys are fabulous and very rewarding when chewed (ie you can use Kong toys which you stuff with treats). I don't think it ever occurred to our dog to chew anything else.

You can add extra value to toys by pretending they're yours - now our pup is a bit older, we have to drum up interest in new toys by playing with them ourselves for a few minutes before giving them to her!

You can also use nasty tasting sprays to make chewing the furniture a not very pleasant experience, if you have particular pieces you want to protect.

As for stopping her chewing our personal belongings, we just don't give her the chance - the house has become very tidy as a result!

If our pup starts having a crafty gnaw on something he shouldn't, I exchange the booty for one of his toys and praise him like mad. I also do this as he munches up my arm or leg. We've had no damage to property apart from one flip flop.

Destroying or biting furniture - usually prevention is better than cure so have other chew toys that the dog will be more interested in. Do not let the dog be bored or stressed so regular exercise and suitable food. Have a safe dog proof area the dog can be left in when unsupervised where he can have access to things he can chew.

Two dogs fighting never a one off answer - typically! Again try to prevent it from happening. I have worked with dogs for many years and rarely had to break up a true dog fight even working with reactive dogs as again prevention is better. Do not put dogs in situations that can cause a fight or stress them out. IF a dog fight does happen the is a strong possibility that you will get bitten. It also depends on the dogs fighting as some breeds will bite and hold on and others will just keep charging in and grab a dog by its neck etc.

Spraying water may break up a fight

Lifting the dogs back legs may break up a fight - but be careful if it is a dog that is holding up.

A noise may startle a dog enough to safely grab them.

The main theory behind positive dog training is that used by Skinner and Thorndike. A behaviour is more likely to be repeated if it is rewarded and pleasurable.

So re toilet training for example, wee in house get hit or told off - so dogs still wees in house but does it where it can not be seen out of the sight of owner. Dog has learnt owner goes mad when I wee so will wee out of sight.

Dog wees in garden and is given a massive game or yummy treat as reward - wees in house and nothing happens. Soon works out garden, wee, yummy treat.

I often wonder what would happen if instead of fining car drivers who speed, we randomly stopped people who were driving within the speed limit and rewarded them with a monetary payment.

I've broken up two dog fights now just by shouting 'hey' in my loudest, bossiest voice. Though they weren't particularly serious fights. One was when a dog came running out of a garden and came up to me and my dog and then suddenly went for it; that was just a bit of posturing by an intact male. The other was between two neighbours dogs, and was caused by fear leading to aggression, I think. I hope I never see a fight where shouting doesn't work.

Positive dog training is great though. My dog even sat for his breakfast the other day before I asked him - he is an exceptionally stubborn sled dog so this is a real breakthrough!

Oh, and minimuu, I am so impressed that your dogs can skip with you!!!

Read up about crate training if you're concerned about chewing furniture. We crate trained from a pup and have had nothing chewed (she hasn't used the crate in 3 years now as she is 'grown up')! she loved the crate too.