Dog training takes time, knowledge, patience, and perseverance. If you lack any of these, the process can get really challenging and overwhelming for you. As a result, you may resort to using force, which most dog trainers are strongly against.
To discourage and stop the use of force in dog training, professional dog trainers and behavioral experts have been developing alternative training methods for a long time.
Force-free dog training is a new buzzword in the dog training world. So, let’s discuss what force-free dog training entails and how it is different from other dog training methods.
What is Force-Free Dog Training?
Force-free training is simply the method of training dogs (or any animal per se) without using force, coercion, threats, or intimidation or inflicting pain on the animal. This involves avoiding punishments or anything that invokes fear and panic, cause pain, or harm the dog in any other way.
Why Use Force-Free Dog Training?
Force-free dog training is a science-backed method to encourage good behaviors in your pup and discourage or correct the bad ones. The use of humane techniques and being kind to your pooch helps establish a healthy relationship between you and your pet, where both enjoy the company of each other and share a strong bond that lasts for a lifetime. Force-free training is also sustainable.
Examples of Force-Free Dog Training Methods
Force-free dog training may appear to be an alien concept to many, but it is, in fact, just another name for some of the commonly used dog training methods. The most common force-free dog training methods include:
- Positive Reinforcement – Using rewards or positive (desired) stimuli to encourage certain behaviors.
- Negative Punishment – Denying or taking away a reward when your dog displays bad behavior or does not follow your commands.
Taking Help is better than Using Force
Many people prefer to train their dogs themselves instead of hiring a professional dog trainer. It may be exciting at first but can quickly become overwhelming, particularly if your dog has a strong personality or have previously learned bad behaviors (most likely in adopted adult dogs). When the training process doesn’t go as imagined or planned, many owners resort to using force or punishment. Whether you do it willingly or unwillingly, the use of force in dog training can never be justified. You need to understand that dogs are living beings too. They, too, have emotions and feel pain. If you’re struggling to train your dog, it’s far better to take help from a reliable dog trainer than risking the relationship between you two by using force.
