Positive Reinforcement: Training Your Dog Or Cat With Treats And Praise

Dog Activities and Training: Positive Reinforcement: Training Your Dog Or Cat With Treats And Praise

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/positive.htm

Remember the adage, "Spare the rod and spoil the child?" Well, fortunately, that concept has disappeared in many circles. Here's a well thought out article on using treats and praise to get the job done, from the Dumb Friends League, an outstanding rescue organization in Denver.

"Positive reinforcement is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior. It makes that behavior more likely to occur in the future, and is one of the most powerful tools for shaping or changing your pet’s behavior.

Correct timing is essential when using positive reinforcement. The reward must occur immediately, or your pet may not associate it with the proper action. For example, if you have your dog "sit," but reward him after he’s already stood up again, he’ll think he’s being rewarded for standing up." Read more...