Dog Training Techniques For Small Dogs

By Lee Dobbins

One of the most effective dog training techniques smaller dogs is reward training. Because choke collars and other aggressive forms of training are ineffective with small breeds like Poodles, Pugs and the Pomeranian due to their small physical stature, reward training has been commonly used as an alternative.

The use of reward training for your pet is an effectivr way of teaching obedience and good behavior. This training technique is use by both the police and military in training their dogs to perform various actions. It is also used by those who train animals for TV and movies. Reward training is a great way to teach all dogs whether they are a family pet or a working dog.

Reward training is based on giving a treat or reward when your dog performs the behavior you desire. Most often it means a special treat, but simply telling your dog that he was a good boy and patting him on the head can be construed as a wonderful reward for your dog.

Your dog can learn to do practically anything using these dog training techniques. Just remember to stay within the prescribed guidelines when training your dog towards the desired result, and to give him his reward as soon as he has done the job right.

For example, dangling the treat over your dog's head and moving it backwards, repeating the word "sit" over and over, until he naturally sits on his own will teach the dog to sit. After he sits, give him the treat and praise him. It won't take long before he knows to sit down and he will be rewarded when he hears the word "sit."

One type of reward training is clicker training which allows you to teach your dog without using voice instructions. A simple clicker is used to communicate with the dog. The dog will eventually learn the meaning of the click sounds and associate it with the reward. The trainer just snaps the clicker every time the dog does his job, and then gives the dog a treat.

You can teach your dog new tricks with decoy training. This is when you get the dog to perform the task naturally on his own (such as with the "sit" example used earlier). Once he has completed the trick, remember to reward him. This technique, widely used in the entertainment industry, does not require a trainer handler.

Using dog training techniques that are rewards based can be a great way to train and bond with your small dog without having to resort to harsh actions that can injure your pet. This way you can be assured that your training time will be enjoyable for both you and your pet.

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