This article serves as an introduction to my dog training guide by explaining the basic principles behind all dog training practices and some of the pitfalls that need to be overcome.

Dogs live in the present. Dogs have very little recall memory, their thoughts are almost totally based upon association. Dogs are unable to analyse things as we do. Dogs do not think in abstract terms, it is simply action = consequence for them. As far as dogs are concerned, rewarded conduct is likely to be repeated whereas discouraged ot ignored conduct is usually avoided. This is what all dog training is based upon.

To take a simple example, if your dog sits and you promptly provide a treat or give verbal praise then he will begin to sit on his own in order to receive another reward. Conversely, to stop your dog from repeating an action in the future like jumping up for attention you should completely ignore him when he does it.

In order to create recognisable associations you must positively reinforce conduct you wish to encourage and ignore what you want to repress. It should be very easy shouldn’t it? So why is dog obedience training such a contentious subject?

To make a successful association the time between action and reward cannot be more than about 2 seconds this can be a problem. This implies that it is very possible for an inexperienced trainer to make a wrong association. For example, your dog sits but by the time you give him his treat and verbal praise he is standing up – you have inadvertently praised the stand up rather than the sit. Another scenario would be to find that your dog has messed on the carpet when you come home. You pull your dog back to the mess, rub his nose in it saying ‘Bad Dog’ and then push him out of the back door. All you have done is taught your dog that going to the toilet is bad.

In the home a dog can have too many masters who will completely confuse him by contradictory associations and opposing training methods. Your dog should not have more than one trainer and one master.

The basics of dog obedience training have been explained in this dog training guide. They are simple on paper but not so easy to carry out. However, understanding the fundamentals will always be of help when using specific dog training routines.

Go to www.TrainMyOwnDog.com to see more articles on dog obedience training.