How dogs learn: The positives of being positive in dog training

Dogs are complex but highly intelligent creatures who figure out their world through associations and consequences, whether you intentionally mean to do this or not.

That’s why at Hunters Dog Holidays we believe the most effective way to train any dog is through positive reinforcement and reward-based training. We focus on how the dogs are feeling and their wellbeing to make sure we can meet their needs and set them up for success.

For example, if your young pup sits when asked, you are going to give them a treat and a very big fuss for a job well done. By doing this, you have just taught them to associate the ‘sit’ with a nice reward being the ‘consequence’ – chances are they will try this again to get the same result!

Or let’s say you pick up your car keys to go out and your dog gets excited. The last time you picked up the keys you went for a nice walk. The car keys resulted in a walk – the association was made, even though in this instance it may have been unintentional!

Learning through association can be a happy experience but it can also be an unpleasant one. Outdated training methods using aversive techniques such as smacking a dog when they do the wrong thing, shock collars, prong collars etc. This still has the same ‘association and consequence’ outcome.

However, when the consequence is an unpleasant experience the dog is more likely to react from a state of fear. It makes them feel unsafe, takes away the dogs agency and their ability to make their own, good decisions. Think about it, if I put an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your shoulders and only stopped when you sat down, you would learn to sit, but would you be feeling happy and relaxed as a result? How would you feel about me? Chances are you wouldn’t be particularly keen on me. It would also be unnecessary, unethical and most importantly unkind.

Winter-proof your dog walks, with Hunters Dog Holidays

Dog-lovers unite with Hunters Dog Holidays

Alternatively, if I sat you on a chair when I asked and gave you cake as a reward, would you feel happy with your achievement? Would you do it again? How would you feel about me? You would probably be happy to work with me again right?

Up-to-date trainers who continually educate themselves on the latest scientific research and have dog welfare at the forefront of their teachings, will know that the dogs who have more positive experiences will be more confident, feel more enriched and be able to make better decisions.

Helping dogs learn how to behave in our world is a process. It can be very rewarding and there really is nothing like creating a bond with your dog where you understand each other, live in harmony and provide each other with positive experiences.

Laura Varney is the Head of Training at Hunter’s Dog Holidays. The Burnham-based company is looking for new members to join its network of trusted, vetted, licensed dog boarders providing homes-from-home to dogs on holiday. To find out more, visit the Hunters website or you can read our feature about the benefits of becoming a Hunters member here.