THE BASIC FACT ABOUT DOG TRAINING

The one basic fact in dog training is that the animal must always be rewarded if it performs correctly and punished if it performs incorrectly. This reward or punishment must be given immediately upon performance, so that the dog can directly associate them with the specific action. If too much time elapses between the action and the expression of reward or punishment, the animal will not associate them with the action. Reward is most often expressed by a kind word, a gentle pat on the head, or the feeding of a tidbit. Punishment is most often expressed by a harsh word, a sharp tug at the leash, or by grasping the animal by the scruff of the neck and letting it know in no uncertain terms that you disapprove. Disapproval also may be expressed by slapping the haunches of the animal with a folded newspaper. How­ever, this procedure often seems to cow the animal and tend to break its spirit, and for this reason it is not generally rec­ommended.

The idea behind this system of reward and punishment is that it seems to be the innate desire of the dog to please the master-to win his approval and to avoid his disapproval. If the master appreciates this fact, training rarely presents any special problem. All he essentially has to do is to approve those actions that he wants the dog to perform and to dis­approve those actions he does not want the dog to perform.

This requirement is not always as easy as it sounds. It is sometimes difficult to be rigidly consistent, especially with a pet for whom the owner has a deep affection. It must never­theless be understood that the most obedient pet is the most desirable one, and any strain on the conscience that may be accompanied by persistently firm discipline will be more than compensated by the fullness of pleasure that will be derived from the completely obedient pet. And let us stop kidding ourselves: pets are acquired mainly to give the owner pleas­ure. When they are disobedient they cause the owner dis­pleasure. When they cause the owner displeasure, they de­stroy the essential purpose for which they were acquired. So it goes without saying that to enjoy your pet fully it is neces­sary to teach it obedience.

It must also be understood that the mind of the dog is not as well developed as the human mind. Therefore dogs are often slow in "catching on" to what the owner is trying to teach. It must also be borne in mind that the animal's power of concentration is limited; no more than half an hour a day should be devoted to training. Thus, especially at an early stage in training, an enormous amount of patience is neces­sary before the dog can be made to behave with any sem­blance of consistency. However, as the animal becomes in­creasingly obedient, it is amazing to what limits the training can extend. With patience and discipline the obedient pet can be made into a wonderful companion and can be the source of wholesome enjoyment.