Dog Aggression Vs Dominance - What's the Difference?

By Chad Thompson

The Different Methods in Dog Training

There are many different methods of dog training but only a few are well known to be effective. When choosing which training method to use with your dog, follow these steps:

- choose a method which you are comfortable with and never be forced into using a certain method

- Never use cruel training methods which enforce punishment or pain on a dog

- decide whether you will undertake the training yourself or hire a professional

- consider using use positive reinforcement methods in the training of your dog

Two popular methods of dog training are the clicker method and NILIF. NILIF stands for 'Nothing In Life Is Free' and is not strictly a training method so to speak, but a way to show your dog that you are the leader and that the dog is part of your pack. The NILIF method works well with stubborn or highly independent dogs. The clicker method on the other hand gently guides a dog into a desirable behavior pattern.

Clicker

The clicker method takes a ot of patience but is a non-confrontational training method. Clicker training will allow you to pay close attention to your dog and pick up things about their behavior that you did not notice before. Many Service Dog trainers use this training method. The aim of clicker is to use a conditioned reinforcer. The idea is to let the dog know that certain behavior is acceptable and correct. Even dolphins and pigeons have been trained using this method. The clicker sound tells the dog that they will get a reward. The dog then learns the association between the clicker sound and good behavior.

NILIF

The idea of Nothing in Life is Free is that a dog wont get what he wants for free - in other words he will not be awarded unless he displays good behavior. It can be used to reduce dominance by enticing the dog to sit or stop in return for a food treat. When you are implementing NILIF you should carry treats at all times, even when you are not in a direct training session.

Regardless of your training method, you must establish yourself as the pack leader and learn how to effectively walk your dog as opposed to a walk around the block. These two training exercises are the only way to rid your dog of unwanted behavior. Don't treat the symptom (aggression, excessive barking, chewing, marking and on and on...) treat the cause by becoming the pack leader and using the walk to establish your role.

These two methods along with pack leadership and proper dog walks are preferable to dog training that includes the use of certain dog collars which can be painful and cruel. By using positive reinforcement in the form of offering treats and rewards for good behavior, a dog will learn to respect you rather than fear you. After all, your dog is your best friend so making him happy should be your top priority.

Chad E. Thompson is the founder of http://www.virtualdogtrainer.com and an active member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, International Association of Canine Professionals and the Humane Society of the United States. Chad has been training dogs with behavioral issues for more than 10 years.