Positive Dog Training Techniques, Purely Positive Motivation

Positive Dog Training Techniques

Positive dog training is a technique used in order to control your dog’s behavior. This technique focuses purely on positive motivation, the observed behavioral mannerisms of your dog and how you react to that behavior. In order to use positive dog training techniques you must understand the basics:

Reinforce Proper Behavior

In order to reinforce proper behavior you must first identify what specific behavior you want from your dog. It is recommended that you develop a list in order to categorize your dog’s existing behavior from the behavior you would like him to portray instead. Once this is accomplished you will be able to begin reinforcing your dog’s good behavior.


Ignore Poor Behavior

Ignoring your dog’s bad behavior can be somewhat irritating. Regardless, you should leave the room and pay him no attention. Pick up your small dog and place him in his crate or attempt to redirect his poor behavior. If you are a new owner, redirecting your dog’s poor behavior may be a little advanced. It entails calming the dog by means of specific commands and then refocusing his attention on something positive that will preoccupy him such as a toy.


Organize your desired behavior into more manageable steps

The purpose of this exercise is to help your dog succeed in the training process. Organizing and condensing the training session’s helps the dog focus on one thing at a time. The simpler each step in the training process is, the better your dog will understand and perform. This helps build your dog’s confidence, keeps him interested, and makes him happy. When you feel that your dog has master a single step, move to the next step. This builds on what you have just taught him. Remember, it is important to “map out” what the finished product is going to be prior to training. As an owner you should have a clear vision of what type of behavior you are expecting from your dog and how you are going to teach it.

Timing is of the essence

When using the positive reinforcement training method, it is best to keep each training session relatively short (roughly 5 min). The goal is not to lose the dog’s attention and make him disinterested. Focus on a total of two or three behaviors per session. Repetition is vital, so try to complete three or five short session per day.


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