Are you looking for the ideal training method for your pet? One of the most recommended methods is positive reinforcement. Many trainers agree that this approach has a lot of benefits and allows your dog to grow sociable and well-behaved.
An experienced dog trainer cites the following reasons to use positive reinforcement whenever you train your pet.
Better Communication with Your Pet
Like in human relationships, it is important to communicate with your dog. Dogs are sensitive animals that have keen observation skills. They can understand certain things their owners go through and realize if they are doing things that please an owner. Positive reinforcement strengthens communication with your dog and rewards good behavior.
For example, if your dog poops or urinates in one of your rooms, avoid punishing them. Punishment will not solve the problem; they will only remember your anger about their behavior when you are present. They might still defecate in a room when you aren’t around. Instead of punishments, reward your pet whenever they pee or poop in a designated area.
Improves Pet Confidence
When an owner consistently punishes their dog, it will have a negative effect on them. Some of these behavioral manifestations include:
- Constant fear
- Lack of self-confidence
- Poor self-control
- Bad behavior
Punishments also make your dog feel unwanted. Positive reinforcement improves pet confidence and makes them closer to you. Rewards reinforce good behavior; this has long term effects and enables your dog to understand what you like and don’t like.
Makes Dogs Happier
Dogs have feelings that may remain hurt or permanently scarred when you treat them poorly. Punishing them for bad behavior may have long term negative effects on their happiness. Positive reinforcement not only helps create good behavior in your pet, but also makes them happier. They feel loved whenever you give them a treat, pet them, or give them extra attention.
Solves Behavioral Problems
A dog with poor behavior is still trainable using positive reinforcement. This training method may solve behavioral problems your pet may have. This approach reinforces positive responses that you or the trainer may want. You can then remove the reward (such as petting, treats, and toys) for the bad acts a dog is doing. This allows a pet to associate the food or attention with good behavior and remember that they don’t receive these when they do things you don’t like.
No Freezing Because of Fear
Negative reinforcement such as punishments for bad behavior instills fear into a dog. Constant punishment may lead them to “freeze” whenever they feel like you will hit them or treat them poorly. They will be anxious and afraid whenever their owner is around. Positive reinforcement prevents them from freezing because of fear. This training method allows dogs to become confident and affectionate toward their owner.
These are the reasons positive reinforcement is a recommended dog training method. This approach allows you to communicate better with your pet, become closer to them, and get them to behave the way you want them to while at home and outside.
