Two training methods to compare.
Which method would you enjoy most? While both techniques can work, over doing the latter can be detrimental.
Focus on teaching dogs what you like and want them to do.
Scolding or using a leash to jerk or “throttle” to discourage your friend.
Be Prepared
Reward good behavior and dogs will reward you by replicating the action. Praise, enjoyable contact or treats work well. How about being prepared? Example: someone approaches when out for a walk. If you have trained your pup to sit when you stop, then it can’t drag you, jump or lunge.
Sit!
Sitting upon stop is a very effective and efficient training technique. Once mastered, no correction needed since poor performance can’t occur. If you grab the leash and jerk you may get the same result but there could be bad results. Your dog may decide when being approached that other people are scary or that pain occurs resulting in growling or barking at the new-comer. Another result could be that your furry friend decides you are scary or jealous and will hurt them when trying to greet people.
Good Manners
Why not teach polite manners rather than frightening or hurting your dog? Concentrating on teaching good manners and rewarding them effectively eliminates the possibility of poor actions. In this example by teaching to sit when someone approaches circumvents the need to correct bad behavior.
Action Reaction
It’s most important to teach that good actions pay good results. Dogs also must learn that poor actions lead to poor results. Discouraging unwanted actions doesn’t have to include intimidation, scolding or pain. Ensure rewarding disliked actions doesn’t occur remembering that dogs live in the here and now.
Motivation
Motivating a dog usually isn’t a mystery. Like children they simply do what works. Giving attention when jumping up on people, jumping worked! Ignoring them when they jump by turning away or looking up and in the worst cases, raising a knee (as if you didn’t realize they are there) can discourage jumping when greeting you or visitors.
Teaching to sit upon arrival eliminates corrective actions. Once sitting, give attention, praise and petting. By sticking to this plan dogs learn two things at once. Sitting works, earning the desired attention. Jumping always results in loss of attention.
By consistently controlling consequences immediately and in the present dogs make the connection between action and results. Discourage dogs from doing something unacceptable by catching them in the act. When playing and friend is mouthing or nipping, at that precise moment exclaim “OUCH” and discontinue playing immediately, do not reward with any petting. A clear message, bad behavior, no more fun!
Good Dog
Enforcing good action brings praise, treats, petting and fun by rewarding good actions immediately. Consequences must be consistent when training. Everyone should react in the same consistent way. By immediately paying attention when jumped on is confusing to dogs. Jumping worked that time, why not now?
Good People
People training is most important. Everyone must be consistent. Think ahead and prepare. If possible, remove a temptation or chance of bad actions. When leaving the house ensure no temptations exist, remove food from the table, store or cover trash where dogs can’t get to it. Prevention is especially true when house training. Your dog will learn faster if you use a crate to prevent expelling in the house while you focus on training to do their job outside.
Continue to Part Three. There is more to learn about training and being a good leader.