5 Most Popular Dog Training Methods

The dog training world has so many different training methods and varying opinions about all of them. Professionals are constantly debating over the ethics and effectiveness of different methods, especially because certain methods work better in tandem for the best results. All of the disagreement can be confusing and somewhat misleading when trying to figure out which techniques fit best for individual circumstances. Don't worry, there is no need to be frustrated. I am here to inform you on widely-used methods of training implemented today, in addition to a bit of my own input.

While there are countless tactics people have used over time, here are the 5 most popular training methods.

1. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is very straight forward in its theory: dogs will repeat behavior when it is followed by a worthy reward. Unwanted behavior is not rewarded or even acknowledged. If there is a behavior that needs correction it is executed by the removal of their rewards such as a treat or toy being taken away. This method does not condone harsh reprimands or any sort of physical punishment. Positive reinforcement starts with immediately rewarding a desired behavior within one second after it happens. This is to insure that the dog can associate their behavior with receiving a reward. The reward that the dog receives needs to be something of worth to them. Most dogs are very food motivated and will take their meal allotment for training. That technique really insures that you are not over feeding your dog during training. While others need more high value treats like sliced meat. 

Some trainers combine positive reinforcement with clicker training (#3). Clicker training works as an effective bridge between the desired behavior and a sense of reward and is literally just classical conditioning. So when a dog trained with a clicker performs a desired behavior the sound of the clicker is a reward. Clickers also create a very clear sign of the exact time the good behavior happened. The commands being taught also need to be clear, so the shorter and more comprehensive the better. 

For this method to be the most effective then the training must be consistent. For example, everyone in the household needs to use the same commands and reward system. Begin with giving your dog a reward every time they perform the behavior you want. Next, you can move toward intermittent rewards as the behavior becomes learned and consistent. Occasionaly new trainers will make the mistake of rewarding bad behavior. Such as, when your dog jumps up on you and you pet it/acknowledge the behavior.

Positive reinforcement is such a good training method and the primary method I use. It does however take a lot of patients when correcting unwanted behavior.

2. Scientific Training

Science-based dog training is a little difficult to define because it depends on information that is always changing and developing. The goal of this method is to understand the nature of dogs, their capacity to be modified, and the effectiveness of punishments and rewards. New studies and experiments are constantly being created by animal behaviorists to better understand canine psychology. Trainers who use this method rely on those studies to work with dogs. They always do what they can to understand a behavior before they go to correct it. 

This method is incredibly broad so it becomes hard to pinpoint a singular methodology behind it. A lot of the methods that are being used in scientific dog training are used by other forms of training. However, I have noticed a dependence on operant conditioning within this method.

Some of these trainers believe it is important to learn how strengthen desired behavior without rewards, by relying on dog psychology. They strive to find ways to enhance off-leash relationships between the dogs and thier owners. It is important that these trainers stay updated on the most recent studies and researching constantly. Which means that this method would work best for a professional trainer with a good amount of experience.

Scientific training is a very respectable method of training because of the amount of knowledge that is used. Trainers are constantly feeding themselves new information to better fit the needs of all differnt kinds of dogs. 

3. Clicker Training

Clicker training is another method that is based on operant conditioning and relies on most of the same principals as positive reinforcement. It actually may be grouped with positive reinforcement instead of being its own form of training. However, I believe it is more important and requires a little more detail.

This method relies on a clicker that makes a quick, sharp noise that signals to a dog when a wanted behavior is accomplished. The advantage of clicker training is that the dog is signaled at the exact moment of the desired behavior. After dogs have learned the clicker's sound the trainers can add verbal commands and shape new behavior. This method works well for learning new tricks and shaping those into more complicated tasks. Lots of professional trainers use this method.

While clicker training is good for new tricks and behaviors it isn't very compatible with curbing unwanted behaviors. Here is a video that helps visualize the beginning of clicker training.

4. Electronic Training

Electronic training depends on the use of electronic collars that deliver a vibration, shock, or spray of citronella when a dog is performing unwanted behavior. This is mostly used when the animal is at a distance or when a leash is not able to be used. Lots of people use invisible fences that shock dogs when they step outside of the boundaries set.

There are so many problems with this training method. The first problem is that it relies on punishment for bad behavior. Meaning a dog learns what they shouldn’t do, rather than what they should do. It also creates a great deal of stress that can lead to permanent anxiety issues for some dogs. Typically inexperienced owners are the ones using this method which means that they are very over used. 

Recently I went to a continuing education course where I gained a behavior certificate. Since we were talking about training and behavior the electronic training came up. We discussed a trend in case studies for dogs that were having this method used on them and how aggressive responses were learned. When the shock would happen the dogs response was aggression toward people that are familiar to the dog. For example, one case study was a dog that was greeting a family member at the edge of the lawn. This dog had a shock collar on for the invisible fence and when it went over the line slightly and got shocked, it attacked. After the very serious attack the dog was sitting on the right side of the lawn acting as if nothing happened. 

I do not recommend using this method of training for your animal, I have yet to see an ethical and successfull use of electronic training.

5. Mirror Training

Mirror training is a method that relies on dogs learning through observing your behavior. As a trainer provides a model of the wanted behavior the dog learns to mimic that behavior. The model for observation could be another human, a cat, or another dog. When the model performs the task correctly they are praised and unwanted behavior is scolded. A model also acts as a rival, the two learners are competing for the desired reward. This tends to encourage the dog to pick up on the behavior and perform it quicker. 

This is another good example of the mirror training method.