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Three Simple Ways To Train Pets Using Positive Reinforcement

1/4/2016

12 Comments

 
Three Dogs and Three Simple Ways To Train Using Positive Reinforcement Methods - blue merle Cardigan Welsh corgi Brychwyn, miniature long haired dachshund Wilhelm, rough collie Huxley featured in Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week during National Train Your Dog Month.
Clicker not required!
Typist: Bethany
Most hobbies are expensive, requiring an investment in equipment and a budget to sustain. Yet all that is needed for positive reinforcement pet training is a pet, a voice and a hand. I can train anywhere, anytime, for free! Too often we pet people and animal trainers get caught up in doing everything perfectly, like on TV, or we just don't bother. Training a pet, though, especially using positive reinforcement training methods, doesn't require lavish tools, luxury locations or celebrity instruction. Any pet (yes, any) can be trained simply by using the fun, positive method that the trainer and the animal both enjoy. The simplicity of positive reinforcement dog, cat and parrot training as a hobby does not diminish it's rewards. In return for my positive training time, I get an incomparable bond with each of my pets as well as pets that I can take anywhere. We trust each other in any situation. We have enough positivity to share, here in our three simple ways to train using positive reinforcement training:
1) Attitude is Everything
Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley, Leo, Amelia, and I were hanging out near the beach a few months ago watching a perfect Puget Sound Sunset. I saw another sunset watcher approach us and prepared the pets to greet her politely. Instead of asking to pet the dogs and cat or asking me about an adventuring cockatoo she neared us and simply stated, " your family is so special. I just love how you talk to them. It's so nice." I thanked her, and as I promptly praised the dogs for remaining quiet I realized how right she was. I do speak nicely to my pets. Shouldn't everyone? In transitioning from a formerly negative trainer to a positive one, the way that I talk to my dogs has indeed been the biggest change. I tell them "yes, good job" instead of "no, don't do that." Through more positive language, my attitude is better. With my better attitude, the pets are happier. Because the pets are happier, people extend positive comments. Positivity is contagious. And it is so simple to start the infectious positive chain reaction. Just say "yes!"
The positive reinforcement method trained Cascadian Nomads dogs, cat and cockatoo during a Lowman Beach, Seattle, Washington, Cascadia, sunset. Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week.
Hooray, good Cascadian Nomads.
A Positive Reinforcement Training Reward can be as simple as a scratch. Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week featuring harlequin blue merle collie Huxley.Pet them!
2) The Best Thing To Do With A Pet
Back when I taught dog training classes, I heard the "there is no way I could handle the dog, treats, and a clicker" excuse daily. But positive reinforcement training does not require the use of a clicker. Instead of using a clicker to mark, or identify, correct behavior, choose a short, one syllable marker word like "yes," "good," or even say "click." Then praise the pets success with a special, exciting word or phrase like "hooray," "awesome work," or "you're the best" accompanied by a celebratory scratch, rub, or game. Being a positive trainer does not require the use of treats. A reward to a pet is as simple as a pet! The key is simply being positive. My training plan has never been teaching my pets a behavior in record time so even though studies have shown that marking behaviors exactly and having the perfect training rewards mean that pets learn faster, I just stay positive even without a click and food reward. The dogs, cat, cockatoo and I don't currently have competitive goals or learning deadlines. I simply want well behaved pets that are active, mentally stimulated, living fulfilled and happy lives. We train casually and simply, positively and fun. And anyone can do it!

Making positive reinforcement training fun is as easy as making it a game! Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week featuring triton cockatoo Leo practicing parrot basketball.Are we having fun yet?
3) Let The Games Begin
Training should be fun. Always. Every time. If I find myself getting bored with training, I know it is time to evaluate what I am doing. I can't be the best, positive trainer that my pets deserve, if I am bored. Most importantly, if I am bored, the dogs, cat and parrot will be too. So how do I keep training fun? The number one way is to always be aware of how much my pets love it. The excitement of each pet when I give them a cue or get out a training toy, brings me such joy. If we try something they don't love, I review my journal and go back to something they enjoyed. And if my pets are happy, I am happy. Yeah. I am that easy to please! Another way to ensure training stays fun is to keep seeking new training games to play, behaviors to learn, and positive reinforcement training methods. Books, workshops, classes, videos, articles, and online events like National Dog Training Month and Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week are constant positive pet training inspiration resources. Simply being present with my pets, observing even the smallest positive change in their behavior when we train, helps me remember to keep training pleasant. Plus I work to put their personality traits, good or bad, to work in making our training positive, effective and always, always fun.

Just because positive reinforcement training is as simple as a positive attitude, voice, scratches, and creativity, doesn't mean it isn't occasionally worth investing some hard earned money into expanding the trainers repertoire. Classes and workshops are awesome, a lot of pets enjoy the successful feeling of hearing a clicker click and special treats are, well, special. Yet knowing that forgetting the clicker, running out of treats or being too broke for the next session of training class doesn't mean positive reinforcement training and the pets much needed mental stimulation can't happen, helps keep the positivity flowing. Training should never discourage. I always have time, a positive word and a chin scratch to share with my pets. They deserve it and so do I.
It is possible to train a cat and the best way is to praise positive behaviors. Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week featuring trained abyssinian tabby cat Amelia.
Curiosity trained the cat!
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Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week
Welcome the the first Positive Reinforcement Pet Training Week of 2016 and year three of this popular event! The hosts,  Cascadian Nomads, Rubicon Days & Tenacious Little Terrier, are thrilled to have all participating positive reinforcement method training enthusiasts, whether you are a blogger adding a link, a regular reader, or checking out the awesome positive pet training information available here and in the links below for the first time. January is National Train Your Dog Month and this months theme is training tips but, like every month, any and all positive reinforcement training method posts, comments, and sharing are welcome and encouraged. This event goes all week, until January 10th, and our next event begins February 1st. Thanks for joining us and happy training!


12 Comments
Talent Hounds link
1/4/2016 10:47:00 am

It is hard to keep training fun and exciting. Variety is the spice of life so trying things outside of the norm like teaching your dog to dance, skateboard or a new sport helps keep it fresh.
Love the tip about petting your pet, seems simple but sadly many forget that your pet wants nothing but love and attention. I love that positive reinforcement includes loads of cuddles, kisses and praise, not just treats.

Reply
Bethany
1/4/2016 02:16:19 pm

I love that every pet has their own favorite things to learn; Leo prefers practicing the standards (which for a parrot are things like "step up") then having a huge "good birdy" celebration, Wilhelm and Amelia also likes the successful feel of the standards like "sit" and "come," Brychwyn likes creative tricks and Huxley only enjoys playing training games. The pets personalities make keeping training fresh easy! And so does their desire for a simple "good job" pat on the head.

Reply
Jan K link
1/4/2016 12:23:42 pm

I think if you are enjoying yourself with the training, that praise just comes out naturally. It certainly comes quicker than the clicker does sometimes for me! But it's so fun and exciting when your dog gets something you've been working on, and when you see how pleased they are that you're pleased....it just keeps the circle going. Sometimes I'm trying to just click and not necessarily use verbal praise as well, but I just can't help myself...that "good boy!!" comes out without me meaning it to! And that definitely means just as much to the dog as that treat does. :)

Reply
Bethany
1/4/2016 02:21:57 pm

The pets can definitely tell whether or not we are enjoying ourselves! This is the main reason to simply train something fun and anything positive as often as possible. Everyone finds the company of a positively trained, regularly mentally stimulated pet more pleasant and that happiness, trainer and trainee, is contagious. When I see people positively training their dogs while out and about, I want to shout "good job" too!

Reply
Kari link
1/4/2016 02:53:05 pm

Nothing worse than people who don't talk nicely to their pets. Or those people who are so afraid their dog is going to react they say, "No no no ..." before the dog even does anything!

Reply
Forest Poodles link
1/4/2016 04:11:16 pm

I appreciate you pointing out how important it is to speak nicely. That alone can change the interaction to a positive one! Great post!

Reply
Tenacious Little Terrier link
1/4/2016 04:49:59 pm

The bf makes fun of me sometimes because I say please and thank you to Mr. N. I agree, attitude is everything!

Reply
Emma link
1/5/2016 03:52:26 am

Very true. We all love our sports training, but Mom isn't into obedience and tricks, so that training isn't as much fun since she doesn't enjoy it herself, but it does need to be done too.

Reply
Dachshund Nola link
1/5/2016 05:56:30 pm

I love this! I completely agree about the positive attitude.

Reply
Lauren Miller link
1/5/2016 11:52:30 pm

Those are excellent tips! Your are so right about attitude! Having a positive fun attitude is more beneficial than trying to train when I don't feel well or am grumpy. I also wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone say they can't manage a clicker, treats and leash.. I'd be so rich right now! LOL!! :D I also agree that training should just be a game. It should always be fun. The dog and the owner should be happy doing it and if you're not having fun when you train, something is wrong and you have to fix it.

Reply
Meghan link
1/6/2016 07:53:14 pm

Great suggestions, especially for combating boredom! It's so important for me to have access to new information and equally enthusiastic training friends to keep things fresh for Nala and I. But even more important, as you say, is remembering how happy training makes her! No matter how tired I've been since starting my new job a few weeks ago, I've made time for a fun training session every evening (okay, maybe because she literally begs me to do so!) because I love to see the soft, loose, happy expression she follows me around with during and afterwards.

Reply
Kyna Bear link
1/9/2016 06:54:31 pm

It is so true that the positive attitude involved in this kind of training makes everyone happier. What a nice compliment that stranger paid you!

Like you said here, I equate positive training with playing. It needs to be fun and games for me and the dogs - or something is wrong!

Thanks for a great post and blog hop!

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