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Be Positive!
What is Positive Reinforcement Training and why is it so important that we
use these methods with Pit Bulls?
Some people are under the impression that Positive Reinforcement
Training is all hearts and flowers and showering dogs with treats. The
truth is that Positive Reinforcement Training is based on the science and
learning theory. Using Operant Conditioning, dogs will repeat behaviors
that are reinforced. In a nutshell, here’s how it works:
Positive Reinforcement (Treats, Praise, Play, Attention and Affection) =
Repeated Behavior
No Positive Reinforcement (Absence of Treats, Praise, Play, Attention and
Affection) = No Behavior
What’s missing from this equation is punishment. Traditional dog training
is rooted in military training. Even today, many trainers use aversive
methods that only teach dogs what NOT to do (pulling on the leash = pain
or discomfort) instead of teaching them what TO do (walk nicely and we
get to explore! Hooray!) While traditional methods may seem to work,
they often backfire, causing fear, anxiety and aggression. Positive training
can't backfire because it’s not a loaded weapon. For example, say you
are teaching your dog not to pull on the leash by using a choke or prong
collar. The unpleasant stimulus just happens to intermingle with a small
child walking down the street. You may end up with a dog who has
anxiety associated with small children, and an owner who cannot figure
out why. Pretty scary stuff.
Too often, so-called professional trainers immediately reach for a choke or
prong collar in an attempt to control issues like leash pulling. Using chokes
and prongs on a Pit Bull is not only cruel, it is ineffective. Pit Bulls have
been bred to withstand great discomfort without changing their course.
Attempts to get the message across to a Pit Bull via physical correction
will usually result in physical injury to the dog before a change in
behavior. While it is true that you can achieve the appearance of control
by using aversive methods, what you really create by using aversives is a
ticking time bomb.
With punishment or aversive based training, you also run the risk of
damaging your relationship with your dog. We have seen dogs who will
literally just shut down because they can no longer tolerate the
punishments.
Again, the best way to work a Pit Bull is to reward desirable behaviors
and ignore or interrupt undesirable behaviors. Remove rewards when the
animal behaves in an undesirable way and do not use physical
punishment of any kind.
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE MAIN EDUCATION PAGE
use these methods with Pit Bulls?
Some people are under the impression that Positive Reinforcement
Training is all hearts and flowers and showering dogs with treats. The
truth is that Positive Reinforcement Training is based on the science and
learning theory. Using Operant Conditioning, dogs will repeat behaviors
that are reinforced. In a nutshell, here’s how it works:
Positive Reinforcement (Treats, Praise, Play, Attention and Affection) =
Repeated Behavior
No Positive Reinforcement (Absence of Treats, Praise, Play, Attention and
Affection) = No Behavior
What’s missing from this equation is punishment. Traditional dog training
is rooted in military training. Even today, many trainers use aversive
methods that only teach dogs what NOT to do (pulling on the leash = pain
or discomfort) instead of teaching them what TO do (walk nicely and we
get to explore! Hooray!) While traditional methods may seem to work,
they often backfire, causing fear, anxiety and aggression. Positive training
can't backfire because it’s not a loaded weapon. For example, say you
are teaching your dog not to pull on the leash by using a choke or prong
collar. The unpleasant stimulus just happens to intermingle with a small
child walking down the street. You may end up with a dog who has
anxiety associated with small children, and an owner who cannot figure
out why. Pretty scary stuff.
Too often, so-called professional trainers immediately reach for a choke or
prong collar in an attempt to control issues like leash pulling. Using chokes
and prongs on a Pit Bull is not only cruel, it is ineffective. Pit Bulls have
been bred to withstand great discomfort without changing their course.
Attempts to get the message across to a Pit Bull via physical correction
will usually result in physical injury to the dog before a change in
behavior. While it is true that you can achieve the appearance of control
by using aversive methods, what you really create by using aversives is a
ticking time bomb.
With punishment or aversive based training, you also run the risk of
damaging your relationship with your dog. We have seen dogs who will
literally just shut down because they can no longer tolerate the
punishments.
Again, the best way to work a Pit Bull is to reward desirable behaviors
and ignore or interrupt undesirable behaviors. Remove rewards when the
animal behaves in an undesirable way and do not use physical
punishment of any kind.
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE MAIN EDUCATION PAGE
