Puppy learning with prizes or punishment
Learning new skills can be done throughout the dog's life and has its maximum development during the first months of the puppy's life. During this phase, the little one has the potential to memorize an almost inexhaustible amount of knowledge (which will be used to implement adequate and balanced behaviors). It is up to the Pet Parents’ skills to ensure that this moment in his life is full of pleasant experiences that allow him to acquire as many notions as possible.
Training a puppy
To encourage learning, we can initially use food rewards to be given when the puppy performs a behavior that we requested. This prize can then be replaced by giving our attention to the little one. What do we mean by “giving our attention”'? We can confirm that what he is doing is suitable by telling him “good job”, allowing him to access a resource (for example, a toy he wants), giving him a caress, proposing a preferred activity. If the little one engages in behaviors we do not like, we can limit ourselves to interrupting the interaction and not paying attention. This way, we will be able to help him better understand what he can and cannot do, setting up healthy interactions without using punishments.
Telling a puppy that it did something wrong
Why are punishments not recommended? As previously mentioned, the use of verbal or physical punishments (constantly scolding, yanking him on the leash, giving him a slap) can create inconsistency in our communication g and encourage insecurity and distrust towards us in the puppy. Raising your voice often does not help the puppy to understand the reason for our irritation. On the other hand, it can lead the puppy to worry more about approaching and interacting with us, not understanding the reason for our sudden change of mood.
Just imagine the confusion that could arise in him if we suddenly scold him if he jumps on us (maybe because we are dressed to go out) or gets on the sofa (because we want to sit in that spot when other times we have asked him to do it!
Rewarding a puppy with food: is it correct?
Finally, remember that we can propose a resource (food, toys) in different ways:
- BAIT: An activity that involves following the resource. In this case, the puppy's attention will be entirely aimed at chasing the object and will not be able to concentrate (to the detriment of learning).
- EXPECTATION: knowing that a certain action will get a reward (for example when the dog sits).
- PRIZE: a treat or other gift that arrives unexpectedly.
It is important to
avoid using the resource as bait since the risk, in addition to increasing attention to the object at the expense of concentration, is that the trust that the puppy places in us is undermined. The bait must be used carefully and only for certain activities, preferably carried out under the supervision of a professional.
