Reward-based training, also known as positive reinforcement, teaches your dog that good things happen when they make a good choice. Highly motivating to our furry friends, this can be a combination of petting, food rewards, interactive play and verbal praise. “If you’ve been lucky enough to welcome a new pup into your home, whilst the joys are certainly endless, you’ll have quickly realized there’s a good deal of work to be done to help your dog become happy, social and well adjusted,” the team at Butterbox say. Need some help on training your dog? Take a look at what you can do below.1. Reward the behavior you want — and ignore what you don’t want As a pet parent, it’s important to praise and reward your dog so they continue to repeat their good behavior. According to previous research conducted by Butterbox, dogs respond better to reward over correction. “Every time you reward your dog, you’re telling them they’ve done something you like. By consistently rewarding what you want, you’re reinforcing this behavior and increasing the chances of it being repeated,” says Jodie Guildharry, an animal training instructor. “Conversely, by ignoring behaviors you don’t want or asking your dog for an alternative behavior, you are reducing the chances of the behavior being repeated.”2. Timing is keyDogs live in the moment, so your response to their behavior should be immediate. When training your dog, make sure the reward is delivered as soon as the behavior has been displayed. Puppies, especially, have short attention spans so an immediate reward will tell them they have done a good job. 3. Cater rewards to your dogsKnowing which rewards your dog finds motivating can help make reward-based training fun. From tasty treats to cuddles, each dog will respond differently to various rewards. If you’re not sure which reward to choose, Jodie suggests playing a game or showing affection by petting, stroking, hugging or snuggling them.4. Start small and buildDon’t despise the small beginnings. It might take time for your dog to learn what is right and wrong, but reward-based training will positively enhance the relationship between you and your dog. “Always start training your dog somewhere with no distractions such as at home,” explains Jodie. “As they start to master each behavior, you can up the ante by slowly increasing the distraction level. Once your dog can consistently repeat a requested behavior in all rooms of your house and in the garden, you can progress onto the park starting at quiet times.”Once your dog is nailing it every time, you’re ready to try it out with other dogs around. Never be afraid to go back a step if your dog isn’t understanding what’s being asked.”5. Adapt over time When you first start training, make sure you reward your dog for any small steps they are taking. For example, as you teach them to come back to you, you may want to start rewarding them for just orienting their head in your direction. Then, as your dog gets more proficient, you’ll be waiting to reward them for their good behavior. One thing to remember with food-based rewards is to ensure they don’t go over their daily calorie intake. Jodie adds: “If you’re embarking on your first puppy journey, or looking to perfect your dog training credentials, there are plenty of ways to make sure your rewards are as effective as possible, helping to create a happy, socially adjusted, furry friend.”
Reward-based training, also known as positive reinforcement, teaches your dog that good things happen when they make a good choice. Highly motivating to our furry friends, this can be a combination of petting, food rewards, interactive play and verbal praise.
“If you’ve been lucky enough to welcome a new pup into your home, whilst the joys are certainly endless, you’ll have quickly realized there’s a good deal of work to be done to help your dog become happy, social and well adjusted,” the team at Butterbox say.
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Need some help on training your dog? Take a look at what you can do below.
1. Reward the behavior you want — and ignore what you don’t want
As a pet parent, it’s important to praise and reward your dog so they continue to repeat their good behavior. According to previous research conducted by Butterbox, dogs respond better to reward over correction.
“Every time you reward your dog, you’re telling them they’ve done something you like. By consistently rewarding what you want, you’re reinforcing this behavior and increasing the chances of it being repeated,” says Jodie Guildharry, an animal training instructor. “Conversely, by ignoring behaviors you don’t want or asking your dog for an alternative behavior, you are reducing the chances of the behavior being repeated.”
2. Timing is key
Dogs live in the moment, so your response to their behavior should be immediate. When training your dog, make sure the reward is delivered as soon as the behavior has been displayed. Puppies, especially, have short attention spans so an immediate reward will tell them they have done a good job.
3. Cater rewards to your dogs
Knowing which rewards your dog finds motivating can help make reward-based training fun. From tasty treats to cuddles, each dog will respond differently to various rewards. If you’re not sure which reward to choose, Jodie suggests playing a game or showing affection by petting, stroking, hugging or snuggling them.
4. Start small and build
Don’t despise the small beginnings. It might take time for your dog to learn what is right and wrong, but reward-based training will positively enhance the relationship between you and your dog.
“Always start training your dog somewhere with no distractions such as at home,” explains Jodie. “As they start to master each behavior, you can up the ante by slowly increasing the distraction level. Once your dog can consistently repeat a requested behavior in all rooms of your house and in the garden, you can progress onto the park starting at quiet times.
“Once your dog is nailing it every time, you’re ready to try it out with other dogs around. Never be afraid to go back a step if your dog isn’t understanding what’s being asked.”
5. Adapt over time
When you first start training, make sure you reward your dog for any small steps they are taking. For example, as you teach them to come back to you, you may want to start rewarding them for just orienting their head in your direction. Then, as your dog gets more proficient, you’ll be waiting to reward them for their good behavior.
One thing to remember with food-based rewards is to ensure they don’t go over their daily calorie intake. Jodie adds: “If you’re embarking on your first puppy journey, or looking to perfect your dog training credentials, there are plenty of ways to make sure your rewards are as effective as possible, helping to create a happy, socially adjusted, furry friend.”
