Rewards Based Dog Training Techniques Are Best For Small Dogs

by: LeeDobbins
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One of the most effective dog training techniques smaller dogs is reward training. Because choke collars and other aggressive forms of training are ineffective with small breeds like Poodles, Pugs and the Pomeranian due to their small physical stature, reward training has been commonly used as an alternative.

Reward training is one of the most common types of obedience training. It teaches dogs to help with police work and military work. This is also the method commonly used to train dogs used in films and advertisements. It is equally effective to help your own pet master basic instructions in obedience.

Reward training is based on giving a treat or reward when your dog performs the behavior you desire. Most often it means a special treat, but simply telling your dog that he was a good boy and patting him on the head can be construed as a wonderful reward for your dog.

You can teach your dog nearly everything by using rewards based dog training techniques. All you need is consistency in training, and your dog will eventually do the desired task.

For example, dangling the treat over your dog's head and moving it backwards, repeating the word "sit" over and over, until he naturally sits on his own will teach the dog to sit. After he sits, give him the treat and praise him. It won't take long before he knows to sit down and he will be rewarded when he hears the word "sit."

If you want to train your dog without the use of voice commands, then you can take advantage of the reward training method known as clicker training. With this method, a clicker is used (usually along with hand signals) to communicate the desired task to the dog. Just like with a voice command, once the dog performs the task he is rewarded with the treat. Over time, the clicker is all that will be necessary for the dog to respond.

You can teach your dog new tricks with decoy training. This is when you get the dog to perform the task naturally on his own (such as with the "sit" example used earlier). Once he has completed the trick, remember to reward him. This technique, widely used in the entertainment industry, does not require a trainer handler.

Using dog training techniques that are rewards based can be a great way to train and bond with your small dog without having to resort to harsh actions that can injure your pet. This way you can be assured that your training time will be enjoyable for both you and your pet.

About the Author

Find out more about dog training techniques and how you can use them to make your dog the best behaved pooch in town, at http://www.positivedogtrainingtechniques.com/.  

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