Posts tagged positive reinforcement
What is a High-Value Reinforcer in Dog Training and Why is it Important to Use One?
What is a High-Value Reinforcer in Dog Training and Why is it Important to Use One?

When it comes to training our furry friends, using high-value reinforcers can make all the difference. These reinforcers, which can come in the form of treats, toys, verbal praise, or even physical affection, provide a clear signal to the dog that they have accomplished the desired behavior. (Check out our big list of reinforcers if you need help thinking of possible reinforcers to try out!) On the other hand, low-value reinforcers, or things you may believe are reinforcing, but aren't, can actually confuse and slow down training progress. So what makes a reinforcer high-value? It varies from dog to dog - for some pooches, it might be a crispy bacon treat, for others, it could be a game of fetch with their favorite toy. The key is to observe your dog's body language and reactions during training sessions and determine which reinforcer gets them the most engaged and increases and strengthens the targeted behavior. Using high-value reinforcers appropriately can not only help keep training sessions fun and engaging for both you and your pup but also increase efficiency and speed in learning behaviors and cues.

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Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog behavior, dog training, dog trainer, dog trainers, positive reinforcement, positive experiences, positive, positive training, positive reinforcement training, high value reinforcer, high value, reinforcers, environmental reinforcers, reinforcement, social reinforcers, training with treats, treat training, treats, treat ideas, operant conditioning, reinforcing, reinforcing behavior
Operant or Classical Conditioning In Dog Training: Is It Possible To Use Just One?
Operant or Classical Conditioning In Dog Training: Is It Possible To Use Just One?

If you're new to the world of dog training, you may be wondering what operant conditioning and classical conditioning are, how they differ from one another, and if you can use them separately from one another. Both operant conditioning and classical conditioning are important elements of dog training, and it's important to understand the difference between the two in order to be the best trainer possible. Here's a brief overview of each type of conditioning, as well as a history of their respective pioneers, Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner.

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Behavioral, Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog behavior, dog owner, dog trainer, dog training, dog trainers, aversive dog training, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, behavioral, behavior consulting, behavior modfication, dog behavior modification, dog behavior consulting, dog learning, learning, learning theory, quadrants, positive training, positive reinforcement, positive punishment, positive experiences, negative reinforcement, negative punishment
Aversive Dog Training Methods: The Fallout and Why It Matters
Aversive Dog Training Methods: The Fallout and Why It Matters

Dogs are trained using a variety of methods, some more effective than others. Aversive dog training methods (e.g. methods using primarily negative reinforcement and positive punishment) can actually do more harm than good. When training your dog, it is important to be aware of the consequences of using aversive training methods because the fallout from methods falling into their category can be difficult to reverse and take you further away from achieving your dog training goals. While aversive training methods might achieve the desired result in the short term, they can have long-term negative consequences for your dog's behavior. Read on to find out more about a few ways your dog can present fallout from these training methods and why they should be avoided.

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Behavioral, Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog behavior, dog trainers, dog training services, dog trainer, dog training, positive reinforcement, positive training, positive, aversive dog training, fallout, punishment, punishment based training, positive punishment, negative reinforcement
How Old Does My Dog Need To Be To Start Training?
How Old Does My Dog Need To Be To Start Training?

Training a dog can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. If you are using positive reinforcement-based methods, puppies can begin learning simple cues such as “Sit” and “Down” as soon as they can eat solid foods. However, basic obedience training is just the beginning. Dogs of all ages can learn new tricks and behaviors. That saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, couldn’t be more wrong. The bond between you and your dog will only grow stronger as you continue to train together over the course of your lives together.

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Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog behavior, what age can a dog start training, dog age, dog aging, socialization, positive reinforcement, positive training, dog trainer, dog training, dog trainers, certified dog trainers, mississippi dog trainer, mississippi dog training, professional dog trainer, professional dog training, dog learning, puppy, puppy biting, new dog, puppy training, puppy obedience, new puppy, new pet, puppies, bringing home a puppy
How To Help A Fearful Dog Gain Confidence
How To Help A Fearful Dog Gain Confidence

If your dog is fearful, you may be wondering what you can do to help them feel more confident. Some dogs may be more fearful or hesitant than others, which can make training more challenging due to past experiences, social learning from other fearful dogs in the household, or even genetics. Luckily, there are positive reinforcement-based training methods and behavioral modification techniques, like desensitization and counter-conditioning that you can use to help your dog gain the confidence he or she needs to thrive. Keep reading to learn more about how to help a fearful dog gain confidence by using positive reinforcement and behavior modification techniques.

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Dog Training, BehavioralLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCfearful dogs, fear, fearful dog, fearfulness, dog behavior, dog aggression, dog on dog aggression, dog training, dog trainers, dog trainer, dog human aggression, reactivity, reactive dog, reinforcement, reinforcers, positive reinforcement, fearfulnes, anxious dog, anxiety in dogs, phobias, sound phobia, dog scared of doorbell, dog scared of sounds, dog scared of people, dog scared of people at door, positive experiences, positive training, positive
The Big Reinforcer List: Reinforcers For Dog Training
The Big Reinforcer List: Reinforcers For Dog Training

Just like humans, dogs have different preferences. Not all dog treats, toys, or experiences hold the same value for every dog. So, try out a wide variety and if it increases your target behavior, it is a reinforcer for your dog. Here is a big list of possible reinforcers your dog might find, well, reinforcing! Remember to add new reinforcers safely and double-check with your vet before changing your dog's diet.

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Dog Toys & Products, Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCtreat ideas, kong ideas, toy ideas, toys, treats, dog toys, training, reinforcers, list, dog training, positive reinforcement, activites, environmental reinforcers, social, social reinforcers, psychology, dog psychology, food
When Can I Stop Using These Treats, Training Collars, and/or Anti-Pull Harnesses?
When Can I Stop Using These Treats, Training Collars, and/or Anti-Pull Harnesses?

I very rarely think about getting my dogs away from treats or toys during training anymore. So, sometimes when clients ask me about this, I can have some difficulty understanding why they are concerned because I know that dogs work for many things beyond treats and I can harness those things to use to my advantage.

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Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCprong collar, e-collar, treats, how to stop using treats to train, treat training, positive training, positive reinforcement, dog training, dog trainer, dog trainers, manners, obedience, obedience training, puppy obedience
How to Pass your Canine Good Citizenship Exam
How to Pass your Canine Good Citizenship Exam

The American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) exam is a ten-point exam that tests whether or not your dog meets the AKC's requirements to hold the title of Canine Good Citizen. The CGC test looks at several basic obedience skills and the temperament of your dog to determine whether your dog is worthy of this title.

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Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog training, dog trainers, american kennel club, akc, cgc, certifications, canine good citizen, jackson ms, mississippi, obedience, obedience cues, obedience commands, positive reinforcement, positive training, manners, good dog
3 Puppy Training Problems and Their Easy Solutions
3 Puppy Training Problems and Their Easy Solutions

Puppies. They aren't for the faint of heart. Here at Faithfully Yours Dog Training, we get calls about "puppy problems" every day and it has come to our attention that people are usually calling about the same issues. The struggles of a puppy owner are real. Puppies will destroy your clothing and carpet in no-time flat. So, what is an new puppy owner to do? Here are our solutions for the three biggest puppy training issues we get calls about.

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Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCpuppies, puppy training, play biting, teething, potty training, positive reinforcement, dog training, crate training, housebreaking
The Latest and Greatest in Positive Dog Training Technology
The Latest and Greatest in Positive Dog Training Technology

With Christmas just around the corner, I am always looking for the latest and greatest to buy for my dogs. (And test out for my clients!) In the recent years, I have seen an increase in new technology meant to help owners train their dogs more efficiently than ever before. We are a family that is completely infatuated with technology so, naturally, I want to test out all the new training gadgets. I know I have clients who feel the same way. I have created a list of the latest and greatest in positive dog training technology for my tech-savvy clients to refer to whenever they need a new toy. So go out there and spoil some dogs this holiday!

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Dog Toys & ProductsLauren Tsaodog toys, products, best of, positive reinforcement
Puppies Bite! How to Stop Puppy Biting
Puppies Bite! How to Stop Puppy Biting

It is that time of year again! It is puppy season! This is the time, us dog trainers, see a huge increase in clients, especially puppy clients. The weather is getting warm, the kids will be out of school, and what better idea than to get a puppy so, they can have summer adventures together, right?

Ermm… maybe not so much.

We have all heard it a million times; puppies are a huge responsibility. As adults, we should be able to handle this responsibility, right? Well, to be honest, puppies are not for the fate of heart. Puppies bite, pee, poop, whine at all hours of the night, and in general, get into trouble.

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Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog training, positive reinforcement, puppy training
Positive Dog Training in the Deep South
Positive Dog Training in the Deep South

My name is Lauren Parks and I have been training dogs using positive methods for 11 years. I started training dogs in Nashville, TN. Eleven years ago, trainers in Nashville were using positive methods to train dogs. Clicker training was highly recommended and you rarely saw a prong collar on a dog. Fast forward to today, I am training dogs in Mississippi.

Mississippi is known for many things. Most of those things are negative, like having obese citizens, having lax animal cruelty laws, and being the most corrupt state in the nation. We are known as being backwards and behind on the times.

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Dog TrainingLauren TsaoFaithfully Yours Dog Training, LLCdog trainers, dog training, positive reinforcement, positive, balanced, punishment
The Science Behind Clicker Training
The Science Behind Clicker Training

Clicker training, for those who are unfamiliar (and boy, are you missing out), is a positive reinforcement method that can be used to train any mammal, domesticated or wild. I have even seen fish learn from a modified version of clicker training.

While clicker training, you use a clicker, which makes a “click” noise, to mark the behavior we want to reinforce. The clicker doesn’t mean anything to the dog at first, but by following Pavlov’s lead, we can condition the dog to be reinforced by the clicking sound.

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Dog TrainingLauren Tsaoclicker training, dog trainers, dog training, marker training, positive reinforcement, positive, punishment
Crate Training and Housebreaking: The Positive Way
Crate Training and Housebreaking: The Positive Way

Congratulations on your new fur baby – literally a baby. If you haven’t had an entire night of whining or accident piddling, just wait, it is coming. My recent foster, Rugby (now named Maxx by his forever mom), who many of you have seen in videos I have posted, reminded me of what it is like to have a puppy.

Of course, I am a dog trainer, so I knew what to do the moment he started crying or sniffing around for a potty spot. Don’t think I do not remember the days when I didn’t know though.

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Dog TrainingLauren Tsaodog trainers, dog training, puppy training, crate training, positive reinforcement, positive, kennel, potty training, housebreaking