Pets
Training Philosophy and Techniques
Philosophy: The type of methodology PETsMART would like to encourage pet owners to use is one of lure-reward training. Lure-reward training uses motivators to get results. A motivator is anything the dog wants. Typically, food and toys are used. So, when teaching "down", for example, a treat is shown to the dog and the dog follows the treat to the ground. The treat is given once the dog is in the prone position.Conditioned Reinforcer or Marker. At first, you lured your puppy into the position you wanted him to go, and then gave him a treat when he got there. Now we begin to use what's called a conditioned reinforcer (or marker word). We usually use the word "yes" or "good." Think of it as a snapshot of the behavior you want. Say you'd like your puppy to "sit". You give the cue ("sit"), the puppy sits, and as his rump hits the floor you say "yes" or "good." That word means the treat is on the way. Every time he hears that word, a treat is forthcoming. As you and your dog get more proficient, this conditioned reinforcer become quite handy, since your puppy doesn't have to be close to you for you to tell him he performed the behavior you wanted.
You can also use a negative marker to mark the exact time the puppy did something wrong. For instance, if he's on a sit, and he gets up, you'd give your negative marker ("eh, eh", or "wrong") at the very instant his rump begins to move upward!
Techniques: Your voice and hands are positive motivators to your dog. When training your puppy, the tone of your voice can change according to what you want to enforce or reinforce. For example, when you ask your puppy to "sit", it should be said like a statement, not a question. When you are praising, your voice should be enthusiastic, sincere and positive. If your puppy makes an error, you must tell him that his behavior is wrong. Your correction word should never be his name or a group of words surround his name. You can use "eh, eh" or "wrong". We rarely use "no" for mistakes since it is over-used and often the puppy has learned to ignore it. Instead, save "no" for something extremely important, like "let go of the cat." Do not reprimand your puppy by using emotions. When your dog is fully familiar with what you are asking, you can use a stronger tone of voice, but once again remember to save your loud voice for emergency situations only.
Your hands should always be used in a positive manner. Puppies are not born understanding how human hands work. You must teach your puppy that your hands are positive and rewarding. Do not, under any circumstance, use your hands to strike your puppy or adult dog. This can elicit a defensive/reflexive bite.
Consider the personality of your puppy when you're training him. Some pups become overly aroused when you physically pet them, while others appear to relax and gain confidence from your touch. Therefore you need to be aware of your pup's personality type and decide how you are going to use your hands while training.
Release Word: This is an extremely important word or phrase. It grants your puppy permission to do something. Your release word means, "you are done"; "you may get up"; "you may go through the door." Start to use your release word whenever you wish to give your pup permission to do something. By patterning this, you will teach your puppy to automatically look to you for permission. Most people use "OK," preceded by the dog's name. Other words or short phrases, which you can use, might be "release"; "thank you"; "bingo" or "free." Don't use "good boy" or "good girl" since you only use the word "good" to reinforce what the puppy is doing. "Good" means, to the puppy, "you are right, keep doing it, I like it, and you will get a reward."
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PETsMART Accredited Training Instructors, in addition to their previous experience, receive a minimum of 120 hours of training in a curriculum which includes: Canine Behavior, Learning Theory ("How Dogs Learn"), Problem-Solving, Classroom Management, Equipment, Handling Skills and more. Where possible, hands-on training is completed in partnership with local shelters, using shelter dogs to demonstrate training methods, behavior assessment and handling skills. This enables us to accredit our instructors while contributing to the community, as we help to make these dogs even more adoptable.
Suzanne Hetts Ph.D. is certified as an applied animal behaviorist and co-owner of Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., in Denver, CO.
Terry Ryan is the well-known author of training books such as The Toolbox for Remodeling Your Problem Dog and The Bark Stops Here.
Pia Silvani is the Director of Pet Training and Behavior at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J.
Mary Lee Nitschke, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Linfield College, an Animal Behavior Therapist and the Director of Training for Animal School in Portland, OR.
Trish King is the Director of the Animal Behavior and Training Department at the Marin Humane Society in Marin County, CA.
Pamela J. Reid, Ph.D. is a certified applied animal behaviorist and assistant professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, where she teaches veterinary students courses in Applied Ethology and the Principles of Learning.
Information and advice contained on this site is for your consideration only. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.
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