Reward-based Training

Positive/ reward-based/ force-free training

What is Positive/ reward-based/ force-free training?

Training needs to be a mutually rewarding experience for the CLAWbie adopter (handler) and the CLAWbie. Dog handling (and ownership) should be a fun, mutually beneficial and interactive experience!

Most people adopt a pet out of a deep love and compassion for animals - for them, dogs are best friends and companions. Adoptive parents need to show their understanding, compassion and respect for the CLAWbies in their care, during all interactions with them. We use positive reinforcement training, which means we reward behaviours we like and want to encourage whilst ignoring the less desirable behaviours. We focus on rewarding those behaviours we want, controlling the environment in order to prevent unwanted behaviours from happening (and making sure that we inadvertently avoid rewarding those unwanted behaviours). We provide consistent clear communication and let the CLAWbie know what we want him/her to do, by rewarding him/her (whether by treats, praise, desirable rewards such as a toy/game or off-lead walk) when (s)he does it. (S)he repeats the good behaviour to earn more rewards. This mutually fulfilling way of training helps reinforce the canine-human bond and strengthens relationships based on trust, respect and understanding. It's fun, stimulating and bonding AND proven to be the most successful way of training and setting up any dog for future success and a sense of well-being and happiness! See more...

All that adoptive parents usually want is that HAPPY TAIL (that happily ever after...), so let us aspire to be benevolent mentors like the “that old dog”, so that we can help our CLAWbies indeed have happiness follow them, wherever they go!

Tip: Only ever use your CLAWbie's name for something positive "Good Clawbie!". (S)he must associate his/her name with something good. Never reprimand your CLAWbie using his/her name or when you are impatient or annoyed. If you follow this tip, you'll find, teaching your CLAWbie a recall (to come to you, when called) is a piece of cake! (S)he hears you call "Come Clawbie!" (s)he thinks "yippee got to rush back to mum/dad 'cos something great is going to happen..." If the name is mainly associated with negative things like being told off, or being put back on lead (e.g. to be taken home after an off-leash walk in the park), then the CLAWbie will prefer to ignore you when his/her name is called (because the name becomes associated with the end of good times, or being told off).

By adopting a CLAWbie (and by signing the Adoption pledge and agreeing the Adoption terms and conditions of your contract) you show your commitment to animal welfare concerns. This in turn means that you agree to be free from any threatening and intimidating conduct or maltreatment of the CLAWbies (and any other pets) in your care. Mistreatment includes acts of omission (neglect, apathy, ignorance and laziness) as much as commission (abuse). We need to be benevolent mentors and good examples in the way we care for and train our CLAWbies.

More on why Dominance Theory is no longer the accepted training method... and why benevolent mentorship is a better approach to Puppy training than "Pack Leadership". See the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour's position statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in training.

See Karen Pryor's extremely helpful book, Don't Shoot the Dog to make Positive Reinforcement Training come alive... in everyday life... and it's not just about dogs!

Being cognisant that spare time is a luxury that many adoptive parents have little of, it's important to stress that there are constant opportunities to train your CLAWbies. Learning (and opportunities for learning) and growth are a part of everyday life and you just need to recognise and make the most of these PAWsome oPAWtunities!

Initially your CLAWbie's food (or preferably tasty treats) will be the best motivator. Initially a tasty morsel (about the size of ¼ of the size of their nose) is used as a lure to direct the CLAWbie to follow your hand (treat) and complete a behaviour, once the behaviour is complete, you will praise and reward (treat). Over time you will be able to fade out the lure and when your CLAWbie completes the behaviour on cue (command) you will praise and treat. Initially patience and consistency are very important. Just as we only give bite-sized treats, training needs to be broken down into "biteable bits and chewable chunks" in order for 'digestion' (or assimilation) to occur. REMEMBER, nothing succeeds like success! Not only do we want our CLAWbie to do well, but we want him/her to have fun and WANT to do well!

Rewards are not just treats, it can be anything the CLAWbie finds rewarding (provided it's acceptable as a reward - i.e. if your puppy is teething, a rawhide chewy is a good reward rather than your sheepskin slipper). Like us, dogs have preferences (some prefer a piece of carrot stick to a vienna, some prefer a squeaky toy to a ball) ...you needs to experiment to find, what that your CLAWbie finds most rewarding.

As soon as the CLAWbie is performing the behaviour about 80% of the time, you'll begin withdrawing the treats and only give a treat intermittently. Research has shown that intermittent reinforcement is actually more motivating and will keep the dog focused. (Just as gambling is addictive to many people, the random possibility of a reward, has been shown to reinforce learning! The CLAWbie now tries extra hard to win the reward (and you become his/her 'one-armed bandit' slot machine). Research has also shown that if the dog does something extra well or quickly, and you "jackpot" the reward (with 7-10 treats and even more enthusiastic praise) it also serves to increase the dog's enthusiasm, desire to learn, curiosity and confidence. The CLAWbie is extra motivated to discover what was done right to win that 'Jackpot'. This is particularly useful in capturing new behaviours, or when a CLAWbie suddenly 'clicks' what "SIT" actually means. Click here for more resources w.r.t. Learning Theory and how a dog learns...

It's vital to realise we are not just trying to make a "good" or "obedient" "or "socially acceptable" dog by teaching certain skills, but rather you are moulding your CLAWbie into more balanced, adaptable, socially adept and confident dog who will ultimately be a happy, fulfilled dog, a credit to you and your family, as well as a doggy ambassador for CLAW and the "Adopt don't Shop" campaign!

For example, imagine we teach a CLAWbie to SIT for everything (s)he wants - whether it's a treat, a toy or dinner, or you enter the enclosure/playpen or open a door or gate etc.... Learning to SIT will set the puppy up with a real life skill! (S)he will learn a SIT is good, a SIT earns a reward (treat and praise), and that SIT will become his/her way of saying "Please may I..." This SIT, in real life, will be rewarded (again and again) because of the respectful, calm and polite way (s)he requested it (the reward). It is also important to generalise the cue "SIT" so that CLAWbie learns to do it in many different places and situations - indoors, outdoors, in the crate/cage out on walks, when asked by different people and in return for different rewards (whether it's food, a toy, a walk, a cuddle ...anything that the CLAWbie finds rewarding). So... teaching a SIT is thus actually teaching a life (rewarding) skill!

As hectic as things are in your daily life, it is important to take time (and if necessary make time) to provide training (stimulation and socialisation) to help your CLAWbies, not only grow into happy, balanced dogs, but to fulfil their potential to become "man's best friend" and a valued member of your family and society at large.