As a dog owner, you may have wondered what your furry friend is really trying to communicate when they bark, whine, or wag their tail. Professional dog trainers have dedicated their careers to understanding and teaching the language of dogs. In this post, we sit down with renowned dog trainer Kamal Fernandez to learn more about how dogs communicate and what we can do to deepen our bond with our four-legged companions. So, pay attention, take notes, and get ready to learn what professional dog trainers want everyone to know about talking dogs.
What Professional Dog Trainers Want Everyone To Know: Talking Dogs With Kamal Fernandez #209
Introduction
Dogs are more than mere pets; they’re family members. They offer companionship and loyalty that is unique and invaluable. However, owning a dog comes with responsibilities beyond providing food and shelter. Proper training ensures a healthy relationship between you and your furry friend.
The video “Talking Dogs With Kamal Fernandez #209” offers insights into the essential things dog owners need to know. The video is a live stream with dog coach Kamal Fernandez, offering tips applicable for companion dogs and those training for world-level dog sports competitions.
Here are some key takeaways from the discussion.
Reinforcing Behaviors In Dogs
Dogs are social animals that thrive on attention and affirmation. However, rewarding behaviors that are not desired can reinforce negative tendencies. Kamal mentions that when it comes to training, we can inadvertently reward the wrong behavior unknowingly. For example, in the case of barking, a common problem in dogs, responding by shouting and scolding a dog can reinforce the barking behavior. Instead, we should stay calm and respond with positive reinforcement when the dog is quiet.
Labels About Dogs Can Hold Us Back
Labels tend to stick, even when they don’t entirely fit. The same applies to dogs, and the labels we apply can limit them. Kamal suggests that instead, we focus on our dog’s abilities and what they can do. By doing so, we can unlock their full potential.
The Power of Short Training Sessions
Short 5-minute training sessions are often more effective than long classes. Dogs have a shorter attention span and can lose interest, resulting in the lessons being ineffective or even counterproductive. Shorter, more targeted training sessions ensure that the dog remains focused.
Transferring Value
To train a dog to do what we want, we need to transfer the value from what they love to what we want them to do. For instance, if your dog loves playing fetch, you can use that to train them to come when called. By associating the command with the game, the dog will start to associate the recall command with excitement and pleasure.
Tapping Into a Dog’s Unique Needs
Each dog is unique, with special personalities and needs. Tapping into the dog’s characteristics and understanding them is important to achieve effective training results. For instance, if your dog is anxious, understanding their triggers and working on ways to address their anxiety should be prioritized before other types of training.
Empathy and Humor
Empathy and humor are Kamal’s dog training superpowers. Dogs have a range of emotions, and empathy can help us understand their behavior better. Humor helps us remain calm and positive when training, even during difficult times.
Positive Reinforcement-Based Dog Trainers Become Positive Reinforcement-Based People
Using positive reinforcement in training leads to increased confidence, trust, and good relationships between dog and owner. Additionally, the positivity tends to spread to other areas of life, making positive reinforcement-based dog trainers positive reinforcement-based people.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Separation anxiety in dogs is common and challenging to deal with. Kamal mentions the FRIDA technique, which is an acronym for Expanding Calm with Functional Relaxation. This technique helps dogs that suffer from separation anxiety by teaching them how to relax during calm periods when their owners are home.
Resource List
Kamal Fernandez’s website, podcast episodes, and video playlists on dog training provide valuable information on dog training. Also, Dogs That website, social media accounts, and email updates offer regular information on dog-related content.
Conclusion
Proper dog training is essential for a healthy and happy relationship between you and your furry friend. Reinforcing positive behaviors through empathy, humor, and positive value transfer can help improve the effectiveness of training. Understanding your dog’s unique needs and avoiding limiting labels can lead to unlocking their full potential. Using the FRIDA technique can help dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. With these insights, you can take a step closer to being the best dog owner ever.