Dog training is the process of modifying the behavior of a dog, either for it to assist in specific activities or undertake particular tasks, or for it to participate effectively in contemporary domestic life. While training dogs for specific roles dates back to Roman times at least, the training of dogs to be compatible household pets developed with suburbanisation in the 1950s.
A dog learns from every interaction it has with its environment. This can be through classical conditioning, where it forms an association between two stimuli; non-associative learning, where its behavior is modified through habituation or sensitisation; and operant conditioning, where it forms an association between a behavior and a consequence.
There are a variety of established methods of dog training, each with their adherents and critics. Some of the better known are the Koehler method, clicker training, dominance-based training, and relationship-based training. The common characteristics of successful methods are knowing the dog’s attributes and personality, accurate timing of reinforcement and/or punishment and consistent communication.
Read more about Dog Training: Definition, History, Factors, Individualized And/or Class Training, Specialized Training, Tools
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