Matching Training Styles to Temperament
Today's Dog Tip was contributed by Candy Hamner, who
adopted her obedience school honor student Roxxy from
PAW.
Did you know that your dog's temperament can affect
her response to training?
Just as two people may respond differently to the same
teaching methods, so do our dogs. Taking the time to
assess your dog's temperament could be the key to
successful training for you and your dog. According
to Mordecai Siegal and Matthew Margolis in "The
Ultimate Guide to Dog Training," there are six basic
temperament types. Understanding your dog's
temperament can help you to adjust your training
approach to bring the best results for you and your
pooch.
Try to identify your dog's temperament before you
begin training. By doing that, you can start your
training on a positive note. Regardless of
temperament type, the underlying message in all
training sessions is the same: praise is the
motivator that will change your dog's behavior, not
the correction. Dogs respond differently to various
levels of praise as well as various levels of
correction.
Here are the basic temperament types. Keep in mind
that dogs often fall in more than one category, so you
may need to use a combination approach for your dog.
* Responsive Dogs tend to be the easiest to train.
These dogs want to please, learn quickly and seem to
enjoy training. They respond best to moderate leash
corrections and lively voice corrections. Harsh voice
or too firm a leash correction can upset these dogs
and derail training. Enthusiastic and happy praise is
the best reward for them.
* Easy Going or Sedate dogs move at a slower pace.
They are slower to respond to a command, take longer
to teach and often just take longer to do things. A
firm voice when giving commands is essential along
with patience and lavish praise. These dogs respond
better to voice corrections than leash corrections.
They do not respond well to harshly given commands or
noise corrections. Leash corrections are often not
necessary. At most, a very light correction is all you
should use.
* High Energy dogs are usually excitable, easily
distracted and set off by the slightest thing. They
are exuberant about everything from someone at the
door to a simple compliment. They would rather play
than train and will find every chance to entice you to
play. Training requires firm handling, with a
no-nonsense approach. You must be patient and subdued,
or you will set him off. Praise is best given somewhat
subdued, not enthusiastically as you would for the
easy going dog. Leash corrections should be quick and
firm, with no nonsense accepted. Keep training
sessions short for these dogs and reward them with
play afterwards.
* The Strong-Willed Dog is often called stubborn as
she wants to do it her way or not at all. These dogs
are a challenge to train, basically, because they do
not want to be trained. Your approach needs to be
firm, persistent but patient. You do not want the dog
to see training as a challenge between the two of you
to see who will win. Your voice should be firm, loud
and demanding. Leash corrections must be firm. Convey
the message that you expect the dog to learn. Give
lots of praise for each accomplishment.
* Shy Dogs are often afraid of training, so too harsh
a technique, sudden movements, loud voices or noises
may frighten these dogs and thwart progress. Leash
corrections should rarely, if ever, be used. Keep
your voice soft and soothing when you correct, and
follow with lavish praise. Love, praise and affection
are the keys to training a shy dog. Keep the sessions
short, positive and filled with praise.
* Aggressive Dogs are generally of two types: fear
aggressive and dominant aggressive. These dogs
usually need the help of a trainer.
By taking the time to determine if your dog is
somewhat shy or timid, stubborn and head strong, or
just slow to get going, it will help you to adjust
your style so you will enhance his learning and make
training positive and fun for both of you.
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For more Dog Tips about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at:
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
www.paw-rescue.org
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768