Training Your Dog for a Happy Life Together
We all want our dogs to behave well. We want to take them out in public and trust that their behavior will be, at the very least, tolerable. We don’t want them attacking other dogs, pulling too hard on the leash, dragging us around, or trying to devour small children. We love our dogs, so we often overlook certain behaviors, hoping they aren’t offending anyone.
When we bring our new puppies home in a flurry of excitement, we understand that responsible pet ownership includes teaching them to listen. However, few of us consider which methods we’ll use to housebreak our beloved pup or what approach we’ll take to turn Baby Rex into a socially acceptable dog.
These considerations are crucial. Approaching puppy training without a clear plan can lead to confusion and conflict. Let’s briefly explore the options to help you make this important decision.
Types of Dog Training
There are three main categories of training: behavior training, obedience training, and activity training. Each produces different results, and while no single type is more important than the others, they aren’t mutually exclusive.
Behavior training covers the basics that make dogs generally well-mannered. We teach them where to go to the bathroom, not to chase the neighbor’s cat, and, hopefully, how to walk without pouncing on every dog they see. This includes rules like whether they can sleep on the bed, climb on furniture, or avoid begging for table scraps. Behavior training is essential because it makes the puppy we brought home someone we can live with.
Obedience training focuses on specific tasks, such as sitting, staying, or heeling, to enhance a dog’s ability to follow commands. While it can complement behavior training, a dog who only masters obedience may still misbehave. For example, they might sit on command but then run off to chase neighborhood kids riding bikes.
Activity training goes beyond basic skills, involving activities like agility, obstacle courses, search and rescue, hunting, or herding. Companion and guide dogs are among the most elite activity-trained dogs, but any dog can learn useful skills with proper training. Proficiency in obedience and behavior is a prerequisite for activity training.
Training Methods for Your Dog
Now that we know the categories of training for Baby Rex, we need to decide how to teach him to thrive in our world while being pleasant to be around. There are three main training methods, and just like humans, dogs learn better through different approaches. The method you choose depends on your personality and your dog’s temperament. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—it’s partly personal preference and partly what works for your dog.
Flexibility is key. Just because you read that Pavlovian conditioning works best for Beagles, and Rex is a Beagle, doesn’t mean you must use it or can’t try something else. Often, people blend elements of all three methods. What matters is understanding why you’re using a method and how it communicates expectations. A tough, gruff dog may need a different approach than a shy, gentle one, and a silly dog may require adjustments from how you trained a smarter dog years ago.
The Koehler Method is the most controversial. Some have misused its principles, extending it to include abusive punishment. If you choose this method, ensure you fully understand it, as there’s an acceptable and an unacceptable way to apply it. The Koehler Method is based on the idea that a dog can choose behaviors based on natural rewards or consequences. For example, during a walk, if your puppy wears a properly fitted choke collar and chooses to chase a squirrel, the collar becomes uncomfortable, encouraging them to follow you instead. Misuse occurs when unnatural, painful punishments are introduced, creating fear rather than trust. Thorough understanding is critical before using this method.
The Pavlovian Method relies on teaching a response to a stimulus, whether natural or unnatural. For instance, dogs react joyfully to the sight of a leash because it signals a walk. If a bell signals food, a dog learns to sit when it rings, associating the sound with a reward. This method, widely successful in dog training and even human behavior modification, requires patience but can be highly effective and enjoyable for some dogs and handlers.
The Operant Method is the most popular, though its effectiveness is debated. It uses consequences to shape behavior. If Baby Rex chews your favorite shoes, he faces a negative consequence. If he chews his bone instead, he’s rewarded with praise or affection. Most people, even casually, use this method, and its advocates believe it produces well-trained dogs.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the method or methods you choose, prioritize Baby Rex’s well-being. Harsh punishment is ineffective—dogs don’t understand what they did wrong, and it doesn’t teach them how to improve. Training can be frustrating, as puppies are often more interested in play than learning. However, they want to please you, even if it doesn’t always seem like it. Keep sessions short to avoid boredom and frustration for both of you.
Remember, you chose to take on this responsibility. Puppies didn’t sign up for training, so make learning as painless as possible. With patience and persistence, you’ll see behavioral changes. Puppies learn quickly, and the first time Rex obeys a command on the first try, that heartwarming moment will make it all worthwhile.
