Quote:
Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll
Another quick question. How forgiving in terms of training are dogs? I don't want to adopt a dog and then negatively affect it with my lack of experience. As long as there is consistency and structure, is it realistic to think that over time a dog and owner will work out their relationship and the dog will understand what is expected, even if the start isn't 100% smooth? I'd also assume that a dog with previous training would benefit from taking classes with it's new adoptive owner?
The last thing I want is to get in over my head and put a dog in a position where it's unhappy.
|
I don't think you're overthinking it.
I am witnessing some friends train a puppy right now. They are practicing walking and some tricks, crate training, etc which is great.
But then they let her dig. And bark. And playbite. Guess what she does constantly now, 2 months later? She's chewed and dug their house up and barks constantly.
So yes, what you do in the beginning for socialization and training makes a huge difference later. Good luck trying to undo these habits - it's far FAR easier to not let them start to begin with. So knowing what to do when they inevitably happen is key.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wretched34
All a dog requires is structure. As a pack animal, they know there needs to be an Alpha, Beta and Omega, in order for their to be safety and security within the pack.
Establish yourself as the Alpha, which means you're the decision maker. You decide everything for your dog. When it eats, where it sleeps, where it plays, everything, and your dog will obey so long as their is consistency.
Also, lead, not just emotionally, but physically. When you enter a room, enter first, when you walk on leash, don't let your dog lead. If your dog is in your way, as in blocking your path, don't step over it, or walk around it, move it, by command, or physically.
Also, socializing your dog with other people is just as important as socializing them with other dogs, this will ensure your dog knows it is the Omega, rather than Beta.
Invite friends and family over, have them feed your dog, and not just treats, but their meals, that is a huge thing. Also make sure your guests know your rules, and allow them to enforce them as well, as a dog will test each member of the pack for hierarchy.
Stay consistent, and you'll both be happy, as a dog will always require an Alpha, if you relax your rules, the dog sees it as a weakness, and will attempt to establish itself as the Alpha, not because it's acting out, or misbehaving, but because it requires that structure.
|
There is no evidence for the alpha model for domesticated dogs. The theory is based on 1960s research on wolves that has since been disproven. It's popular because it was on TV, but dogs are not trained like that in real life.
It's great to have a theory behind training, but training a dog with consistency and socialization is just basic logic. If you let a toddler play with something 9 times and yell at it the 10th of course it will be confused.
You didn't mention this, but there is also no evidence that negative reinforcement is any better than positive reinforcement. Ie punishing your dog does not help any more than rewarding the opposite good behavior.