Dog training usually involves basic obedience training to establish control over the animal and can then progress to more advanced specialist training. Basic obedience training includes, but not limited to, teaching a dog:
- Recall – teaching the dog to come on command
- Sit – teaching the dog to sit on command
- Heeling – teaching the dog to walk on or off lead with the handler
- Stay – teaching the dog not to stray on command
- Socializing – neutrality or excitement when appropriate during a reaction with the outside world
Advanced trainers know (or should know) what Operant conditioning (or instrumental conditioning) is. Also known as Instrumental Conditioning, Operant Conditioning is a form of learning in which a dog’s behavior is modified by its consequences. Two complementary motivations drive instrumental learning: the maximization of positive outcomes and minimization of aversive ones. There are two ways in which behavior is reinforced or strengthened: positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened by producing some desirable consequence; negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened by avoiding some undesirable consequence. There are two ways in which behavior is decreased or weakened: negative punishment occurs when a behavior is weakened by not producing a reinforcing consequence; and positive punishment (which most trainers are unfamiliar with) occurs when a behavior is weakened by producing a consequence that is a disincentive. In combination, these basic reinforcing and punishing contingencies provide four ways for modifying behavior. Reinforcement increases the relative probability or frequency of the behavior it follows, while punishment decreases the relative probability or frequency of the behavior it follows.
Teach your dog the basic commands and improve their behavior with our obedience training programs. Our balance techniques mentioned above makes learning fun for your dog. Get inspired and start training today.