Zen Dog Training

Wanted to share the story of my first pup’s ease, and my own struggle, with crate training. 

If you’re anything like me, the idea of seeing your newest little fuzzball cooped up in a cramped prison is disturbing.  At least that’s how I used to feel.

When I brought my first pup home, the sweetest little chocolate lab with the biggest golden eyes I’d ever seen (even bigger when he stared through the bars of his prison gate), I reluctantly followed the instruction of professionals and tossed treats in the crate.  I hung a Kong with peanut butter treats stuffed inside from the ceiling.  I made it homey with a blanket and one of my own shirts.

After only two days, something clicked in my head.  I thought, “This dog doesn’t hate his crate.”  I got to thinking.  How do I feel at the end of a hard day when I can finally snuggle into my bed, safe and warm?  Where I can forget the stresses of the outside world?  I still think my bed is the best place to think…to relax…to refresh.  Again, I’d found a common thread between man and beast (or puppy). 

Once again, it’s less about crate training the dog, and more about training me.

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Ready to train your dog? Then you have to choose between 2 evenly useful styles to dog teaching: classical and operant conditioning.

Classical conditioning is a subject of association. Fundamentally, you will be required to introduce stimulating elements to your dog, to educate him to response in a particular method when he comes across particular stimulating elements. For example, ringing a bell right before supplying him a food will make him expect food every time he will perceive the sound of a bell ring. Nourishing him a dog treat each time he rotates on the floor will in the long run make him rotate on the floor when shown a dog treat.

Classical conditioning is believed to be the improved of the 2 styles in dog teaching.

Though, operant conditioning is a very near alternative.

Operant conditioning includes the introduction of unconstructive or positive supports all over the program of dog coaching. Constructive supports are rewards you will give for your pet whenever he does something good. The plan is to educate your pet to continue doing these acts so that he can receive his rewards. Unconstructive supports are reprimands inflicted upon the pet whenever he does something adverse.

Some would say that positive supports should be selected over unconstructive supports. Who would fancy to see his pet suffer, after all?

Though, some dog breeds take action better to uncosntructive supports rather than positive supports. English bulldogs, pugs and spitzes, for example, are more sensitive to education when punished for their faults.

Unconstructive supports, on the other hand, can be disastrous for particular dog breeds. A German Shepherd, once punished, may feel bitter about his trainer for life. A Shih Tzu can cut his affection for a trainer who brings in unconstructive supports all through his training. The same goes for a Pomeranian.

Inexperienced at dog coaching?

It is sensible to take the classical conditioning method first because it is simpler to pull off.

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