Training Tips

Steps to take to encourage wanted behaviors and discourage unwanted behaviors:

The first thing you need to know, unless you already train animals, is that you will probably need the assistance of someone who is familiar with animal training to effectively train your pet. This is not the time to be seeking the advice or assistance of co-workers, friends, or family.  And, while your veterinarian may be able to help you locate a good trainer, he or she (unless he/she is also a trainer and however well-intentioned) is not usually qualified to give you advice on training.  In fact, many "self-styled" trainers should also probably not be giving out advice!

The easiest way to get good behavior is reward it. You may use food, verbal praise, or touch for the reward. The easiest way to discourage bad behavior is to distract the pet from whatever it is doing and reward it for alternative behaviors.

There are a number of training techniques.  We prefer "operant conditioning" and primarily "no force" techniques  that encourage your pet to cooperate and that instill a desire to please.  However, at one point or another point during training, some type of "correction" may become necessary depending on the time and effort that you are willing to put into training your pet.  That is, if you want your dog to understand that obedience is not optional and that it must respond appropriately when asked for a behavior.  

Corrections do not have to "hard," "forceful" or "sharp" to be effective.  ALWAYS USE THE MINIMUM FORCE NECESSARY, AND NO FORCE IF POSSIBLE, TO OBTAIN A DESIRED BEHAVIOR.

Today, most responsible trainers are moving away from dated training techniques that use force as the primary motivator.  Newer and more effective training techniques have been developed which insure that your animal will work with a good "attitude."  As a result, the use of the "force" techniques is decreasing.

We recommend that you locate and work with a trainer who uses "operant conditioning" techniques, and primarily "positive reinforcement" for the best results.

If your pet has "problem" behaviors, see a trainer or animal behavioral specialist immediately. Do not try to solve problems yourself.  The more commonly used correction techniques may actually make a situation worse. And, please do not wait to seek assistance, hoping the animal will "outgrow" or stop a behavior on its own.  Problem behaviors can become "established" in a very short time and, if that happens, become extremely hard to correct.

Call Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee, Inc., @ (901) 432-7268 or Email them for assistance with problem behaviors and for referrals to trainers and behavioral counselors for more complicated problems.