How dogs learn: motivation & reward
Timing, reward and the right amount of success: the basics that make every training easier.
Dogs are learning constantly – whether we intend it or not. Anyone who understands how this works trains more calmly and more successfully. The most important thing first: rewarding works better and more lastingly than punishing.
Reward steers behaviour
Behaviour that pays off occurs more often. That's exactly what you use in training: reward what you want – with food, play, praise or what your dog wants just then, such as being allowed to snuffle. What you don't reward becomes rarer. Watch out for unwanted rewards too, for instance when jumping up is 'rewarded' with attention.