Positive reinforcement training focuses on building a strong relationship between you and your dog. Creating this bond results in your dog respecting you and listening to you because they truly want to. Positive reinforcement training uses praise and treats to reward your dog for doing something you ask them to do.

What are positive reinforcement training methods?

How Positive reinforcement training works

Positive reinforcement training uses scientifically backed animal learning theory. The main learning theories used are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is the act of pairing a certain thing with a positive association. Through operant conditioning, behaviors are learned by repeatedly rewarding desired behaviors. Once the dog understands that doing a behavior earns them a reward, they continue to perform the behavior. Alternatively, undesirable behaviors are prevented and managed using force-free techniques in order to reduce their frequency and then extinguish them altogether. 

How we use positive training with dog obedience training

Dog Obedience Training should be a top priory for any new puppy or dog in your home! Building a relationship through obedience training gets your life together started off on the right paw. We use positive training methods to teach your dog new skills, how to handle new situations, and how to listen to you. Positive training methods have been scientifically proven to be more successful than other teaching styles. We never use force, fear, or intimidation to train. All of our lessons are filled with praise and fun, so training is enjoyable! We strive to make training with your pup a great bonding experience.

Our puppy training methods

Bringing home a new puppy is such an exciting experience! They can bring us so much happiness but poor behavior can often leave us feeling overwhelmed. Puppies are often easily distracted making training on your own a challenge. This is where our trainers come in to save the day. Our trainers have extensive experienced in managing puppy behavior. We know exactly how to get the most out of a training session with your puppy. We use all of the tips and tricks we’ve acquired over the years to give you the fastest, most effective training results. While puppies can sometimes be difficult to train, the accomplishment you’ll feel once they’ve completed all of their obedience training is unsurpassed! In 6 weeks we can turn your unruly puppy into a well behaved doggie citizen. Our courses are specifically designed with puppies in mind and our trainers are well versed in the best practices of teaching brand new pups.

Potty Training for Puppies

Our Essentials Course covers all of the secrets to mastering potty training. We know that in early puppyhood this can be one of the most difficult challenges to overcome. Often times it is this training that takes the most time, patience, and understanding. Since puppies are not born knowing how to go potty outside, this is not an established behavior when you first bring them home. Potty training is a process that can take some dogs days and others months. Depending on your dogs size and age, they may need to go out as often as every hour in the very beginning. The good news is that it gets much easier as you go! With every successful potty break outside you’re one step closer to a potty trained dog. Dogs are able to hold it for longer periods of time as they grow making your job much simpler. Positive reinforcement plays a huge role in this training. The goal with teaching this behavior is consistently rewarding them for going outside. 

Crate Training for Puppies 

Using a crate for potty training can be extremely helpful! This is because dogs don’t like to go to the bathroom in the same area where they sleep. When they’re really young you want to be starting them off in a small crate. The reason for this is that if puppies can poo or pee on one side and then sleep on the other, that’s what they’ll do. Keeping the crate small at first helps to teach them how to hold it. As they grow, their crate can grow larger too. Once they’re successfully potty trained you may not even need a crate anymore. However, keeping one around might be a good idea in the long run. Crates can be a great tool to keep your dog safe if they have any destructive behaviors. They can also be used to transport your dog safely in the car. For new adoptees crates can serve as a safe haven in their new home. 

When you shouldn’t use a crate

It’s important to understand that not all puppies or dogs will be comfortable in a crate. When you first introduce your dog to the crate it’s normal for them to be fearful of being in the crate or of the crate itself. There is an adjustment period for all dogs where they have to learn how to like their crate and thankfully there are many things you can do to encourage this. You should start them out with very short periods of time in the crate at first and gradually build up to longer periods. It’s normal to hear some crying, barking, and scratching at the crate when you first introduce them to it. However, some dogs have severe reactions which can lead to dangerous actions so it is important to pay close attention to your dog during these times. A typical puppy may cry for an hour or so but then soothe themselves and eventually fall asleep. Alternatively, some puppies may scream and howl for hours on end without any feeling of relief. In some situations dogs may injure themselves trying to escape their crate or they may cause self-inflicted wounds from behaviors that arise in the midst on their panic. If you think your puppy or dog is having a severe reaction like this to being left in a crate then you should avoid using crates altogether. 

Some dogs have a bad reaction to the feeling of being left along while others have a bad reaction to the feeling of being contained. Either way, it is unsafe to leave a dog in a crate who is suffering from extreme panic. Dogs who exhibit these behaviors could end up causing serious harm to themselves. Although the feelings behind these reactions are individual to the specific dog, there are a few common reasons why a dog may not like their crate. The first is that they may be claustrophobic. Dogs can develop this disorder just like people. The second is that they may have a bad association with the crate. If they were adopted from an abusive home where they were neglected and left in a crate for much of their life, this would be a clear cause of distress. Third and most common, they could be exhibiting these behaviors because they are experiencing separation anxiety. 

It is always important to check that your dog is having an appropriate reaction to their crate. Making their crate a happy place to be is the best possible way to make crate training a good experience. There are also other solutions to keeping them secure and safe. You can use baby gates or puppy-proofed rooms as a great alternative.

Puppy Nipping & Mouthing

Puppy nipping is a very commonly issue although it can be quite upsetting when you’re experiencing it first hand. Puppies explore the world with their mouths much like human babies do. Because of this, you’ll see a lot of mouthing during their early months. Another big cause of mouthing and nipping is teething. Puppies go through their teething phase at around 3-7 months of age. During this period their baby teeth are being pushed out and replaced by their adult teeth. Teething does come with a great deal of pain as their adult teeth are all pushing through their gum line to the surface. You may notice blood in their mouth or blood on chew toys they’ve recently played with. 

While puppies are teething you will see an increase in mouthing and nipping because they are trying to soothe the pain they are experiencing. However, it is extremely important that we teach them how to use their mouths appropriately during this time. Puppies are not born knowing that it’s not ok to put their mouths on people, this is something we have to teach them. Since puppies play with other dogs using their mouth, they don’t have an understanding of how gentle human skin is compared to dogs skin. We can teach them how to be gentle with their mouth as a part of their obedience training program with us. Mouthing and nipping is covered in-depth in our obedience course also known as the Essentials Course.