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The Most Popular Dog Training Techniques

Writer's picture: Helen RichardsonHelen Richardson

While many people think of dog training as just obeying commands like sit, stay, or heel, there are several aspects in addition to that. Popular trainers, breeders, and behaviorists use many different professional dog training techniques to train their dogs. When it comes to professional dog training, there are certain 'go-to' techniques that top trainers utilize again and again. This article will explore the basics of the most popular dog training techniques.



Hand Signals/Body Language


Some trainers opt to train their dogs using nothing but hand signals and body language, as it is a silent, natural way for owners to communicate with their pets. Some forms of training instructs pet owners to reward good behavior with a treat, toy, or affection from the owner when the dog obeys commands. This technique is called "positive reinforcement," and both training tools are typically used together. Although training through "purely positive" methods is very limiting to success in training, it remains a very popular way of training dogs.


Clicker Training


Clicker training, or marker training, uses a type of "bridge" to connect an action with a specific command as a way to teach dogs new behaviors. It will also reinforce those behaviors once they have been adequately learned by linking that action to a click sound or light or other recognizable cues, which signifies that the behavior has been performed successfully and therefore will be rewarded. This technique has also grown in popularity among animal trainers and owners alike because it is seen as less aggressive than other training collars and recognizes positive actions instead of punishing negative ones. However, like all purely positive methods it’s success is limited to times when your dog is not distracted by other more interesting things in the environment such as smells, dogs, or other animals etc.


Crate Training


Crate training has been around for decades and works by helping pets ``unlearn" bad behavior and encourage good habits. A crate is a safe place where dogs can get away from disturbances caused by people or other animals, allowing them to rest comfortably without becoming overstimulated. Crate training often provides positive reinforcement for dogs once they have been adequately housebroken since it gives them space in the home. However, some pet owners avoid using crates as an everyday solution because they believe confining their dogs is unfair. Other pet owners set aside certain hours during which the dog is allowed out of the crate not to feel like he has no choice but to soil his housing area.


Spray Collar


A spray collar is a device that emits an unpleasant but harmless spray of citronella or compressed air that interrupts a dog's unwanted behavior. These collars are used to deter barking, digging, and jumping on people. They are activated by the ambient noise of the environment and do not require any action from the owner other than placing it on the dog's neck.


Modern E Collar


An electric collar gives the dog a novel stimulation to the dog in order to communicate with them. Dogs are physical creatures and give each other physical corrections in order to communicate. E collars are able to give a physical correction to a dog at a distance, and with a command from the owner the dog will know what behavior is required to turn off the stimulation. Modern e collars, such as the Educator E Collars, use blunt stimulation at highly variable levels, similar to a TENS unit used to relax muscles on humans. Many times the stimulation needed to communicate with a dog is at such a low level that humans would not be able to sense it.


These collars are ideal because the stimulation naturally de-escalates the behavior of a dog and it is a safe and humane way to correct your dog. Just as in parenting a small child, only rewarding good behavior and not addressing bad behavior will set you up to have an unruly child. Dogs also need to know when they are crossing the boundaries of acceptable behavior to humans, making them well aware of what is allowed and not allowed. Having clear rules and a clear way to communicate with your dog, even at a distance, is a very powerful way to improve your relationship with your dog.


Although it is very rewarding for people to shower their dogs with love and affection, it is even more important to create a relationship based on respect. Once you have the respect of your dog, there are so many possibilities for you to enjoy each other even more. Imagine being able to hike with your dog off leash and get them to return to you reliably. So much freedom for both you and the dog!



In Conclusion


Although many people are aware that it is impossible to raise a child without setting limits, we seem to want to enjoy our dogs and never give them any discipline. Instead, I invite you to consider the benefits of rules and boundaries in any relationship, including the one with your dog. Wouldn't you rather be firmly in charge of your dog and not have to worry what kind of trouble they will be getting into next?


Training with an e collar is simple and very effective. Many dogs that bark and lunge on leash are doing so out of fear and uncertainty. It is actually doing your dog a huge favor, setting limits on what they are allowed to do, as it makes them realize that you are in control and they can just relax and be a dog.


No more bad behavior and much more peace of mind for both you and the dog.


What could really be holding you back from calming your dog and enjoying them even more?

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