Understanding How Dogs Learn
How Dogs Learn
Just like human beings, all dogs learn through experience. The number of times a particular action must be repeated for a dog to learn and to commit it to memory varies. Sometimes it depends on the breed, sometimes on the dog’s motivation. If the dog perceives the desired action as being particularly advantageous to him, he may learn it almost immediately.
By the same token, a dog can also learn to avoid bad situations on the basis of one experience. Just like a child who touches the hot stove despite stern warnings, a dog will learn to shy away from activities that have previously produced discomfort or fear.
The actions and exercises that we teach our dogs during training are not, by themselves, perceived by the dog as either advantageous or disadvantageous. For training to succeed, we must clearly distinguish requested actions in terms understandable to the dog. Basically that boils down to what is to his advantage and what is not. Once the dog perceives that it is to his benefit either to refrain from conduct we consider objectionable or to adopt those actions we consider desirable, he learns very quickly.
For this reason, immediate feedback is the most effective means to train your dog. If your dog’s action elicits a timely praise or reprimand from you, he will soon learn the expected behavior in order to earn the reward or to avoid the disciplinary action.
You can learn more Dog Training Secrets here.
