Good dog!

Most of dog training will actually occur at "the point of." This phrase simply means that you train your dog's behavior as the behavior is happening. If a dog is exhibiting a behavior you don't approve of, you simply remove the dog from the situation or give it a quick nip to take its mind off of what it was doing. If the dog is exhibiting a behavior you do approve of, you'll produce a treat or another reward (affection is a simple one) in order to reinforce that behavior.

Yes, dogs will avoid behaviors if they know that that behavior will produce some sort of negative response. That is the essence and theory behind negative reinforcement. But adding to a dog's fears and anxieties isn't exactly the most productive way to get them to become a healthy member of your household.

Instead, a dog will respond just as strongly to positive actions that lead to positive results.

You might say, "well, I've given Rex a treat to get him to come off my leather couch, and he doesn't seem interested."

You're approaching it the wrong way. Don't bribe dogs to do anything - they'll just perceive you as a provider of food, not the commander of the household. Wait until Rex comes off the couch and then produce a treat. Or give Rex a treat when he avoids the couch altogether. Rex will take notice that him being on the couch doesn't get him the rewards he wants, so he'll change his behavior.

The key is not to train the dog only, but to train yourself. You have to be able to provide consistent feedback for a dog to take notice. This is why many people misuse negative reinforcement and it only leads to more problems. Instead, be consistent with your dog, showing them affection only when they've earned it. The dog will learn positive habits and won't have the same fears that punishment can cause.

Photo Credits: terinea

Bad Dogs

If you've recently acquired a new puppy or even adopted a dog, you'll probably enter into a transition period with that dog. A little separation anxiety is normal, especially considering that you've essentially relocated the dog in a potentially permanent change of residence. But if after a while your dog continues to exhibit some odd behaviors that strike you as outside the normal realm of dog training issues, you might want to consult a professional. Here are some common behavioral problems in dogs to watch out for.

-Aggression.

This is probably the most serious problem to have, which is why it's being listed here. A little aggression, of course, is normal, but you should be able to expect a reasonable amount of control over your dog. If, however, your dog seems out of control and all of your attempts to contain its behavior seem to be in vain, then you might want to consult a dog trainer. This is especially true if your dog poses a danger to any members of your family or other humans it interacts with - don't let the situation get dangerous before you take your dog for help.

-Chewing.

Some dogs attempt to release anxiety by taking it out on your shoes, your clothes, and other easily-chewable items around the house that can create a mess. If your dog leaves a pile of shredded tissue on the floor on a regular basis, you'll want to address this problem quickly. Many times, a problem like chewing can be solved by giving the dog some established rules (for example, reward the dog with affection only when it's not chewing) and giving it plenty of regular exercise as an outlet for its anxiety. If problems persist, you'll want to consider a dog trainer to get to a deeper root to the problem.

-Refusing to confront fears.

In humans, this can also be a problem, but when it's present in dogs, it's very obvious. Some dogs are afraid to get into cars and others are afraid to enter certain parts of the house. In this instance, you'll want to try some progressive training that helps guide your dog into confronting its own fears - don't force the issue. Make sure that you address these problems by at least talking to a dog trainer for some possible solutions.

For many of these problems, knowing when a dog has crossed the line from nervousness into genuine anxiety or aggression is the real issue. Be sure that you don't let a dog's behavioral problems develop into habits, and make sure that you contact some professionals for further advice.

Photo Credits; Locutis