4 Reasons to Train Your Dog with Praise!
3 Beautiful Poodles Laying on the Grass
It can’t be denied, our dogs want to please us! That is why it’s so important to train all dogs with praise!
The Power of Praise
The powerful impact of praise is not limited to our dogs. Praise from parents, teachers, bosses, authority figures, family members and even our friends nurture and increase:
Self-confidence.
Self-esteem; and
Feelings of positivity!
Praise also increases morale, motivation, engagement and even the ability to learn better!
The same is true for your dog.
Positive Reinforcement
Praise is priceless in reinforcing wanted behaviors in K9s. Positive reinforcement involves the use of high value rewards including:
Young Black Poodle in Training on Running Track
Praise.
Treats.
Toys.
Play.
Affection.
Physical touch and more.
But since timing is imperative in dog training, spoken praise is easily delivered in the moment to reward the wanted behavior and encourage the repetition of that same behavior. Since dogs live in the moment (versus the past or present), timing of the positive reinforcement is crucial for effective communication!
Dogs and Praise: A Powerful Combination!
Poodle Service Dog Licking a Woman
Much like in human relationships, praise is a powerful and compelling tool. Consider, when someone praises you, doesn’t it immediately invoke a warm and fuzzy feeling? Doesn’t it also motivate you to try even harder next time? Your dog feels the same way especially given their natural desire to please us!
Praising your dog enhances the bond and trust between you and your canine.
Praise immediately acknowledges your dog and their correct behaviors and further strengthens the communication between you with positive feedback for your dog.
Even if you’re using other forms of rewards during dog training, combine them with verbal praise at the same time. Use the same word(s) of praise (i.e., “yes,” “good boy/good girl”) and the same pitch and tone so your dog will learn to associate certain words with the certain behaviors you expect from them. Use happy and enthusiastic praise without being too overly excited.
Regardless of the words you use to praise your dog’s wanted behaviors remember again, timing and consistency are crucial for the best results. Also, offer praise after the task has been successfully completed to avoid any confusion on your dog’s part.
Many people believe most dogs prefer treats/food over praise. Keep reading to find out if this idea is really true below!
Dogs: Praise or Treats?
It may surprise or even shock you, that dogs prefer praise over treats! The “findings support the use of social praise as a reward in dog training.”
We know dogs are highly social creatures (what science calls “hypersocial”) often with a “higher value of social than food reward for some dogs.” This highlights the importance of social interaction with our dogs due, in large part, to the unique dog-human social relationship.
So, praise for your dog is not only a natural preference (over treats), but it can be used anywhere and anytime whether you have treats or not! Now that’s a win-win situation for you and your furry best friend!
Black Poodle Puppy in Training
All Images are the Courtesy of MobilityDog.
Final Note
It’s important to note here that dogs are all individuals with their own likes and dislikes. This means that not all dogs may be equally receptive to praise.
Typically, the more bonded the dog may feel to the human, the greater the effect praise will have on them.
Get to know your dog and what specifically motivates them to behave in certain ways. Always work on your dog’s level and personality for the best results!
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