Do You Do Inadvertent Dog Training?

The dog is outside barking. You rush to the door, open it and yell at the dog to shut up. You have just performed an inadvertent act of training to encourage your dog to bark. You reinforced the barking of your dog by responding to it with an open door and attention. Granted, being yelled at may not be the most positive form of attention but it's attention, none the less.

This is one of many ways inadvertent dog training is done.

What if you are greeting someone at your door and the dog rushes up and barks or jumps on your guest? What do you do? Grab the dog and pet it to calm it down? You have just inadvertently praised the dog for barking and jumping. Inadvertent training is what causes the majority of misbehavior in a dog. It is usually done with the best of intentions but inevitably leads to problem behavior.

Whenever you don't pay attention to what you do with your dog you may be guilty of inadvertent dog training by praising, either through voice, touch or treat and reinforcing unwanted behavior.

Here's another scenario. You and your dog are walking through the neighborhood. You are being a responsible pet owner and have made sure the dog is wearing his collar with tags displayed, your leash is a good length for controlling your dog, you have your 'pick up' bag so if your dog makes a 'deposit' you can pick it up and dispose of it in the accepted manner; everything is lovely. Then, approaching you is another couple, dog and human. Your dog starts barking and pulling at his lead. What do you do? Do you grab his collar and pet him, telling him it's okay? If so, then you just did inadvertent dog training by telling your dog, verbally and spatially, that it is okay to bark at other strollers! I know this isn't what you intended but your dog doesn't understands intentions, only action, and you sent the wrong message.

You need to become aware of how you do inadvertent dog training. Anytime your dog does anything that is not preferred behavior you must make sure you don't encourage him to repeat the action by your response. When you pet, baby talk, smile (dog's are magnificent readers of body language), give treats or in any other way try to stop unwanted behavior, you are more than likely actually doing just the opposite. If you have a small dog and he is misbehaving do you pick him up and pet him with the intention of calming him? He has just gotten the message that if he misbehaves you will pick him up and stroke him.

How can you stop inadvertent dog training? By becoming aware of what you do when your dog is behavior badly. Then you must change your methods. It is very simple. It isn't easy. Ask for feedback from someone who observes you and have them tell you when you are falling short of the best training.
Find a good dog training instructor who can point out your errors. Join a group obedience class where the owners handle their own dogs. This is also an excellent opportunity to socialize your dog, as well.

Happy training and may you do no more inadvertent dog training!


Learn more about Inadvertent Dog Training. Stop by Therapy Dog Training Tips where you can find out all about Inadvertent Dog Training and what it can do for you.

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Orignal From: Do You Do Inadvertent Dog Training?