How to make training fun for your Dog

Research shows that the learning rate of children increases by 50% if the child is enjoying the experience. The same is absolutely true for dogs, who also deserve to explore, play and enjoy the learning experience too. 

Rewards and Reinforcement

It is important to understand that dogs learn primarily from rewards because treats, play, love and exercise all increase the dog’s dopamine levels, which basically makes them feel good!  Nature also makes eating enjoyable (otherwise we wouldn’t keep doing it) and when we use treat rewards we are literally flooding the brain with endorphins (feel good hormones) and so in positive reward training we have a double WHACK of feel-good factor and a very happy dog.   All the dogs that come to our training classes are literally dragging their owners into our hall, and it’s the one time I don’t mind pulling on a lead because I want them to be so happy coming to training that they can barely contain their excitement. The dog gets a full hour bonding session with their humans with fun games, praise, treats and all sorts of rewards, why would they not enjoy learning? Training sessions should be, and absolutely must be, fun for the dog and owner in order to set them up for success.

Rewards are also an imperative part of communicating and bonding with your dog and provide a positive clear message that you like the behaviour.  The behavioural  science of operant conditioning (dog learning by the consequences of behaviour) means that if the behaviour is rewarded it is likely to be repeated. The more a behaviour is repeated, the more the behaviour becomes fully learned (reinforced) because as we all know, practise makes perfect!  

Avoid Aversive, Punishment or Dominance Based Training

On the other hand, just like all animals, dogs may also learn to avoid behaviours that are paired with aversive’ s or punishments, such as ‘corrective’ or dominance training. Put quite simply, this is training through fear,  force or pain and will not only limit your dog’s learning capacity, but is, quite frankly, cruel!  These old-fashioned methods of training that have not changed since the 1950’s no longer serves a purpose in behavioural science, will cause disconnection, shut down and stress. Stress will limit any animal’s ability to learn, including children and pets, and are unlikely to thrive as a result. Thankfully,  physical and emotional punishment is finished in schools because of the trauma it causes but why is it still practised in dog training? Correction training will also cause negative emotional responses, which will damage your relationship, create learned helplessness, and may contribute to other behavioural issues in the long run. If you want your dog to be your best friend, I whole heartedly advise against the use of correction or dominance-based dog training methods.  Love your dog instead, make them feel good, I promise they will give you all the love in return!

Variable Rewards and Life Rewards

Rewards are an imperative part of communicating and bonding with your dog, who (contrary to popular belief) isn’t born needing to obey the human but is inspired to please you because you show them your appreciation and love in return.  There are many ‘life rewards’ that make our dogs feel good and inspire them to keep doing what we like. Some dogs are motivated by food, but some are more motivated by toys, and games. It is worth making a list of your dog’s favourite things (including the types of toys or treats) so that you can use this as part of a reward system in training. Variable rewards also make the behaviour much stronger and the game of learning fun.

I also invite you to consider the way in which you talk to your dog. Upbeat and joyful tones resonate and inspires your dog more than any shouted or demanded command. When asking your dog to do a behaviour on cue – I would always recommend phrasing it like a question such as ‘sit’? – so that the inflection always finishes upbeat, rather than a forceful command. Nobody responds well to firm orders or domination.

Bite-size Training Sessions

Finally, teach your dog in short, fun and achievable bitesize 5-minute sessions and/or build their life skills into your everyday activities.

For example, games to play as a reward for calling your dog on walks, practising stay at the roadside or in their bed, practising leave before meals. Try to always set your dog up for success and build up their progress in small increments. If your dog keeps failing at something, eventually they will get bored or frustrated and training can then become a negative. If you feel frustrated in training its best to stop before your dog perceives a negative emotional experience. Always finish the session on a high with something nice and easy like asking your dog to sit, reward that and finish with a play or a meal. This way you will always end a training session on a positive note.