What is positive training and when should I start?

Do you know what positive training is? Do you know what this practice consists of and how to use it with your dog? Come learn more about this technique!

Has anyone ever come across a dog that didn't have the best behavior? 

That dog that tears up everything it sees, pees in the most inappropriate places possible, doesn't respect its owner(s) and, in many cases, can even end up displaying aggressive behavior.

It's the kind of dog that turns the house – and the owner's life – upside down. Everyone knows a dog like that, right?

And when we come across an animal like this, our first thought is the famous training. 

After all, through training by a responsible professional, the behavior of these animals tends to improve significantly, improving everyone's routine. 

And just like any other type of teaching, each professional – or company – that works with training has its own philosophies and methodologies, which are nothing more than the ways adopted to teach dogs to obey certain commands.

And among these methodologies, one has been standing out among professionals who provide this type of service: positive training.

But after all: what is positive training? That’s what we’re going to discover throughout today’s content! 

In this article, we will explore this technique a little further to understand if it really works and if it is the best option for those who want to train their four-legged friend!

So if you have one of these 'hairy hurricanes' at home – or know someone who does – this content will help you!

What is positive training?

As the name suggests, positive training is the way to teach your dog with positive practices and not in a punitive way.

In Brazil it is still little known among the general public, but among trainers, this modality is being a success and little by little changes for the better are happening.

In this new trend that has been gaining ground around the world, we motivate the dog to do what we want, whether it be through food, toys or even a belly rub.

Other ways to motivate your best friend is to do something he really enjoys, such as sniffing the sidewalk, going for a walk or being held.

This way, you will gain more trust from your pet.

And besides, it will make him feel worthy and see you as a friend and not an enemy.

What is the main difference between conventional training and positive training?

As we have already mentioned in the text, the most common thing when we come across animals that are difficult to handle – and when the owner has the financial means, since this service is not usually the cheapest – is to seek the help of a trainer.

But what many owners don't know is that many professionals – and companies that provide this service – use more conventional methods to train animals. 

And these trainings usually involve more punitive methodologies, which involve devices that can range from fear to pain.

These techniques often use props to reprimand and scare them.

Among those used are: spray bottles – to reprimand the animal – fire extinguishers and cans with coins inside – to scare them – and even more violent devices, ranging from jerks on the leash to shock collars.

This is, without a doubt, the main difference between positive training and other techniques.

Positive training tips to adopt at home

Don't have the money to pay a trainer to help you with your dog? No problem!

Check out these quick tips that will help you train your dog at home! 

Take it for a walk whenever you can

Dogs are territorial and are always alert and ready to defend their owners and their homes.

It is important to take your four-legged friend for walks frequently so that he gets used to seeing people and movement.

This means that he will not be bothered by common visitors who are with his owners and will be calmer.

Use newspaper or a sanitary diaper to teach where to go to the bathroom:

One of the things that most bothers pet parents is their pets going to the bathroom out of place, right?

Using newspapers and sanitary diapers can help a lot in teaching your dog where to go.

Try to place the newspaper in a more remote place without a lot of people moving around, so that it feels like it has its own place there.

Give him a toy he can chew on.

Another concern for everyone, especially for those who have a puppy at home, is arriving home and finding something bitten or torn, right?

This often happens because of the teeth that are coming in and even because of adapting to the new home.

Find a toy that you may no longer use or go to your local pet store and give it to your dog. This will give him something to chew and play with and keep him away from your clothes and slippers.

Always have a treat or be ready for a cuddle

As already mentioned above, in this modality, your dog needs to be motivated to obey and cannot see you as a threat at any time.

Always have that little thing he loves to eat in your hands, or even be ready to give him kisses and affection if that's what motivates him.

Don't be in a hurry

Every process takes time, so be patient. They won't get it right the first time or the second time, but they are extremely intelligent and will gradually understand what they need to do.

When a step doesn't go well or even if they have a relapse and destroy a slipper in the process, take a deep breath and demonstrate this by not giving them the reward they expect, but never use violence, as this will delay everything they have done.

Conclusion 

Now that you know what positive training is, it's much easier to figure out which training techniques are best for your pet.

After all, I don't even need to say that adopting training techniques that involve some kind of violent technique is extremely wrong, right?

Therefore, when choosing a company or professional to perform this service, try to find out more about the techniques they use and give priority to places that already practice positive training.

This way, in addition to achieving the long-awaited behavioral improvement of your pet, you will also ensure that your pet will be well treated and will not go through any bad experiences during the training process.

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