A Brief History Of Dog Training

Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the world, and have been human companions for thousands of years. Over this time, people have developed many different methods for training their dogs, with the goal of creating a harmonious relationship between you and your dog. In this blog post, we will explore the history of dog training, from its earliest origins to the modern day.

The earliest evidence of dogs being trained by humans comes from ancient Egypt, where dogs were used for hunting and guarding. Archaeological finds suggest that Egyptians trained their dogs to retrieve game, and that they were also used for tracking and finding lost people. Egyptian hieroglyphs depict dogs being taught to jump over obstacles and to walk on their hind legs, indicating that some form of training was taking place. In ancient Greece, dogs were also trained for hunting, but were also used in warfare. The Greeks developed a system of training that relied heavily on punishment.

During the Middle Ages, dogs were used for hunting and as guard animals, and were also trained to perform tricks for entertainment. However, dog training was not a formalized practice, and there was little consistency in the methods used. Dogs were often trained using harsh methods, including physical punishment and starvation.

The first organized dog training program was developed in Germany in the late 1800s. A man named Max von Stephanitz created a breed of dog known as the German Shepherd, and developed a training system that relied on positive reinforcement and obedience. The German Shepherd became popular in law enforcement and military applications, and the training methods used to train these dogs were eventually adopted by dog trainers around the world.

In the United States, dog training became popular in the early 1900s, with the founding of the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884. The AKC was formed to promote purebred dogs, and also established guidelines for dog shows and competitions. As more people began to keep dogs as pets, the need for training became more widespread.

One of the most influential figures in the early history of dog training in the United States was William Koehler. Koehler was a former trainer for the Walt Disney studios, and he developed a system of training that relied on punishment and correction. Koehler's methods were controversial, with many trainers and animal welfare advocates criticizing his use of physical punishment.

In the 1960s and 1970s, a new approach to dog training began to emerge, based on positive reinforcement and reward-based training. Trainers such as Karen Pryor and Ian Dunbar advocated for using treats and praise to encourage good behavior, rather than punishing bad behavior. This approach became known as "clicker training," and has become widely accepted as a humane and effective way to train dogs.

This article talks mainly about objective historical information on dog training. I'd like to advocate for R+ dog training to conclude this. As you read, the majority of dog training until recently has been fear/punishment based. We have since learned such better ways to train our dogs.

The goal of R+ dog training is to create a strong bond between the dog and the trainer, and to teach the dog to make good choices on its own. This is done by rewarding the dog for behaviors that are desirable, such as sitting or staying, and ignoring or redirecting behaviors that are unwanted, such as jumping or barking. The rewards used in R+ dog training can vary, but typically include treats, praise, and playtime. The key is to find a reward that the dog finds valuable and motivating, and to use that reward consistently during training sessions.

One of the biggest advantages of R+ dog training is that it is a humane and positive approach to training. Punishment-based training methods, such as those that rely on physical corrections, can be harmful to dogs and can damage the bond between the dog and its trainer. R+ dog training, on the other hand, focuses on building a strong bond and positive relationship between the dog and trainer.

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