Dog Training Behavior Modification
There are a number of key elements which if put into effect will do much to ensure the success of anydog trainingbehavior modification. Dogs not only need to be taught what you want them to do but they also need to learn that this information will work for them in any situation. In order to do this you must provide your dog with sufficient opportunities to practice. Practice should never be confined to home or some other highly controlled environment.It is imperative that your dog be trained in as many different types of conditions as possible. Introducing new distractions, new variables and new challenges will enable your dog to perform the behavior in the midst of distraction in real life situations. Be careful not to overload your dog with too much stimuli in just one training session. Allow him to become used to a type and level of distraction and then change it or increase it once your dog passes the ten out of ten test. The more variables you expose your dog to the better he will handle the unforeseen.
Some types of variables that you could introduce to your dog when teaching him Sit/Stay instead of jumping on visitors are these.
- While you and your dog are out walking have someone greet you.
- A guest at the front door.
- Greeting someone at the vet, the pet store, etc…
- You and your dog greeting someone else with a dog.
- Approaching and greeting a person sitting down.
- You and your dog sitting down and someone approaching and greeting you.
- Kids greeting your dog.
- A family member with food greeting your dog.
Once your dog has a good behavior history built up for the correct action. Make sure and try him out in some of the places and situations where he had problems in the past. Start off easy and build up to situations, which your dog finds very difficult to deal with. And always be ready to click and treat anytime your dog displays the correct behavior. Reward generously if he offers the action on his own. Pouncing visitors at the door
