Training is what we do with our dogs not to our dogs. I understand the importance of a good relationship with your dog. This is why I am dedicated to helping you gain the necessary knowledge of how your dog learns and how to better communicate with your pet.
How Dogs Learn
Dogs learn through the process of association. They quickly figure out which behaviors satisfy their needs and wants … and those that do not. If the result of a behavior is pleasant, then it is more likely to occur again. Alternatively, if the outcome is unpleasant the behavior is less likely to occur in the future.
When training our dogs we want to use these fundamental laws of learning to shape the behaviors which will help our dogs learn necessary manners to fit into the human world.
Your Relationship with Your Dog
Your relationship with your dog has to be based on trust. Our dogs are dependent on us for almost all of their needs and wants. Therefore, proper training techniques have to be utilized to gain that trust and to keep it.
Communication
The first step in being able to communicate with your dog is having a proper understanding of how dogs learn and communicate. There are a lot of situations where we misinterpret what our dogs are doing and begin to think they are trying to take control or are doing something in spite. To help prevent these types of misunderstandings it is important to understand a few basics:
Dominance/Alpha theory is a myth. In human-dog relationships there is no valid scientific proof of dominance/alpha theory, so please do not think that your dog is trying to dominate you. YOU control all aspects of your dog’s life and therefore have nothing to worry about.
Dogs do not speak English and will not understand a single word you say unless you have spent the time to teach and make an association to an actual behavior.
Dogs are selfish creatures and will perform behaviors that benefit them and will not solely perform just to please you.
A good place to start seeing dog communication is by observing your dog in their daily lives. There are several methods dogs employ when it comes to communication. The following are some of the most basic ones:
Body language - this includes facial expressions, body postures such as play bows, tail positions, ear positions, raised hackles, etc.
Vocal communication - wide variety of barks, whines, howls and growls
Olfactory communication – the investigation of different types of glands and secretions along the body as well as sniffing urine and fecal deposits of other dogs. Since dogs have an uncanny sense of smell they are able to discern a lot of social information by doing this.
Understanding these principles will allow you to see your dog’s behavior objectively and give you a better foundation on how to handle your dogs.
Contact Houston Dog Training
Houston Dog Training
832-510-3647
Areas Served
Houston Metro
Bellaire
West University
Meyerland
River Oaks
The Heights
Braeswood
Philosophy
Training is what we do with our dogs not to our dogs. I understand the importance of a good relationship with your dog. This is why I am dedicated to helping you gain the necessary knowledge of how your dog learns and how to better communicate with your pet.
How Dogs Learn
Dogs learn through the process of association. They quickly figure out which behaviors satisfy their needs and wants … and those that do not. If the result of a behavior is pleasant, then it is more likely to occur again. Alternatively, if the outcome is unpleasant the behavior is less likely to occur in the future.
When training our dogs we want to use these fundamental laws of learning to shape the behaviors which will help our dogs learn necessary manners to fit into the human world.
Your Relationship with Your Dog
Your relationship with your dog has to be based on trust. Our dogs are dependent on us for almost all of their needs and wants. Therefore, proper training techniques have to be utilized to gain that trust and to keep it.
Communication
The first step in being able to communicate with your dog is having a proper understanding of how dogs learn and communicate. There are a lot of situations where we misinterpret what our dogs are doing and begin to think they are trying to take control or are doing something in spite. To help prevent these types of misunderstandings it is important to understand a few basics:
Dominance/Alpha theory is a myth. In human-dog relationships there is no valid scientific proof of dominance/alpha theory, so please do not think that your dog is trying to dominate you. YOU control all aspects of your dog’s life and therefore have nothing to worry about.
Dogs do not speak English and will not understand a single word you say unless you have spent the time to teach and make an association to an actual behavior.
Dogs are selfish creatures and will perform behaviors that benefit them and will not solely perform just to please you.
A good place to start seeing dog communication is by observing your dog in their daily lives. There are several methods dogs employ when it comes to communication. The following are some of the most basic ones:
Body language - this includes facial expressions, body postures such as play bows, tail positions, ear positions, raised hackles, etc.
Vocal communication - wide variety of barks, whines, howls and growls
Olfactory communication – the investigation of different types of glands and secretions along the body as well as sniffing urine and fecal deposits of other dogs. Since dogs have an uncanny sense of smell they are able to discern a lot of social information by doing this.
Understanding these principles will allow you to see your dog’s behavior objectively and give you a better foundation on how to handle your dogs.