June 6, 1997
Shaping Behavior
Make use of positive reinforcement
One of the best ways to teach your dog a command, or a certain way to act, is to "shape" your dog's behavior. It is a logical process where your dog is rewarded for behaving correctly. For instance, to teach your dog to come, begin by rewarding your dog with praise and food when he comes to you on his own. Next, begin saying "Come" as he comes to you on his own. You are first teaching your dog that coming to you is a good behavior because it is rewarded with praise and food. Next, you are teaching your dog to associate that good behavior with the command "Come." He will learn that when you say "Come" and he comes to you, that he will receive good things like praise and food.
This is called "shaping" your dog's behavior. It is built on a philosophy of positive reinforcement where you have a very good opportunity to establish mutual respect and trust with your dog. This same type of teaching method can be applied to any command such as "sit," "stay," "off," etc. It can also be used in some doggie sports, like agility.
Clicker Training, introduced in the book "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor uses this shaping method based of positive reinforcement. However, when you "clicker train" your dog, you use a "clicking sound" (made from a plastic clicker toy) to alert your dog to the exact moment that its displayed the correct behavior. Your dog learns to associate the clicker sound with praise and/or food. Your dog then associates the clicker sound with good behavior.
For some more information on shaping your dog's behavior using clicker training check out these links:
Crossover Dogs
More on Positive Reinforcement
Shaping Heeling
Clicker training is a wonderful way to train dogs, but it is not the only way. You can shape your dogs' behavior using praise and food, without the click as well! Some people and dogs find that clicker training is very useful and works very well for them, others struggle with it. It may be that people with exact timing can communicate better with their dogs using the clicker training; it also may be that some breeds and individual dogs respond better to clicker training than others. The choice is yours to click or not - but either way, by "shaping" your dog's behavior using positive reinforcement, you are teaching your dog in a humane, respectful manner.
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Campbell's Pet Behavior Resources
William E. Campbell, internationally recognized author on pet dog behavior, edits this leading edge information resource. The author of "Behavior Problems in Dogs," and "Owner's Guide to Better Behavior in Dogs," you will find this a great place to surf!
Doggie Door to Canine Behavior
An information-packed and fun site on dog behavior. Featuring articles, questions & answers, "The Puppy Place" and more! Enhanced with multi-media and animations, this site is a MUST SEE!
Psychological Dog Training
C.W. Meisterfield brings his expertise to the World Wide Web! As the only "canine psychoanalyst" to be certified by the judicial system of the United States, his philosophy of Mutual Respect and Training Without Pain can benefit everyone.
The Dogpatch
Enter the "Doghouse" at the Dogpatch and you'll find, what seems to be, unending information! Check out the "Training" section for the basics and more. And don't miss the excellent coverage on doggie sports like Agility, Herding, and Frisbee! This is a MUST VISIT site for any dog lover. From Suite 101 Pets editor Mary Jo Sminkey.
Dog Owner's Guide
A wonderful starting point for a new dog owner, or anyone thinking of getting a dog. Beginning with their "Choosing The Right Dog" section, this informative website carries you through many aspects of dogs and dog ownership.
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Dog Behavior and Training
