Dog Training part III
Communicating
with the dog
Fundamentally, dog training is about communication.
From the human perspective the handler is
communicating to the dog what behaviors are
correct, desired, or preferred in what
circumstances. From the canine perspective the
handler must communicate what behaviors will
give the dog the most satisfaction to his natural
instincts and emotions. Without that inner
satisfaction a dog will not work well.
A successful handler must also understand the
communication that the dog sends to the handler.
The dog can signal that he is unsure, confused,
nervous, happy, excited, and so on. The emotional
state of the dog is an important consideration in
directing the training, as a dog that is stressed or
distracted will not learn efficiently.
According to Learning Theory there are a four
important messages that the handler can send the
dog:
Reward or release marker
Correct behavior. You have earned a reward. For
example, "Free" followed by a reward.
Bridge
Correct behavior. Continue and you will earn a
reward. For example, "Good".
No reward marker
Incorrect behavior. Try something else. For example,
"Uh-uh" or "Try again".
Punishment marker
Incorrect behavior. You have earned punishment. For
example, "No".
Using consistent signals or words for these
messages enables the dog to understand them
more quickly. If the handler sometimes says
"good" as a reward marker and sometimes as a
bridge, it is difficult for the dog to know when he has
earned a reward.Rewards can be treats, play, praise,
or anything that the dog finds rewarding. Failure to
reward after the reward marker diminishes the value
of the reward marker and makes training more
difficult.
These four messages do not have to be
communicated with words, and nonverbal signals
are often used. In particular, mechanical clickers are
frequently used for the reward marker. Hand signals
and body language also play an important part in
learning for dogs.
Dogs usually do not generalize commands easily;
that is, a dog who has learned a command in a
particular location and situation may not
immediately recognize the command to other
situations. A dog who knows how to "down" in the
living room may suffer genuine confusion if asked to
"down" at the park or in the car. The command will
need to be retaught in each new situation. This
is sometimes called "crosscontextualization,"
meaning the dog has to apply what's been learned to
many different contexts.
Next: Dog Training part IV - Reward and punishment
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