How to Get Kids Involved in Dog Training Using Positive Reinforcement

If you decide to get a dog, one thing you should remember is that taking care of it will often be a family affair. Many aspects of raising a dog, including simple training, can and often should involve your kids. Letting them participate in your dog’s training will help them understand what it means to be a dog owner, and it will also allow them the opportunity to develop valuable skills—such as responsibility, empathy, and compassion—that they can carry into adulthood. 

It may be challenging to get your kids to properly train their furry friend, and as the adult, the onus is ultimately on you to take charge of training. But as early as now, you can teach your kids the principle of positive reinforcement and how it applies to your dog’s training. This will make training sessions easier and more likely to yield a “paw-sitive” experience for everyone involved. 

To that end, here are some helpful dog training tips for your family, anchored on positive reinforcement: 

1) Educate Your Kids on Positive Reinforcement 

Positive reinforcement has been the go-to approach for training dogs for its effectiveness and consideration of a dog’s holistic growth. It involves rewarding canines for good behavior and encouraging them to repeat those actions. Educating your kids on the principle of positive reinforcement will help them understand how it works, making it easier to progress during training sessions and ultimately making training time more fun for both dogs and kids. 

Begin by explaining to your children that dogs, like humans, respond better to rewards than to punishment. Use simple, age-appropriate language to describe how giving a treat, praise, or a favorite toy when the dog obeys a command reinforces that behavior. 

Next, show your kids how to say “sit” to their dog, and then immediately rewarding the dog by giving them a treat from any one of their favorite dog treat bags when they comply. Do this a few times before letting your kids have a go. 

It’s also a good idea to provide them with educational materials, such as books or videos on positive reinforcement, to help them grasp these concepts more clearly. If you make the learning process more engaging and interactive for your kids, it will cultivate in them a sense of responsibility and accomplishment—which can go a long way in strengthening their relationships with your family dog.

2) Teach Them About the Importance of Gentle Handling

Gentle handling is crucial for the safety and well-being of both your kids and the family’s canine companion. You should ensure that your dog feels safe and secure around you and your children and not have to worry about aggressive reactions. Teaching your kids about gentle handling, especially when using positive reinforcement, will go a long way in reducing the likelihood of accidents or misunderstandings.

Explain to your kids that dogs have feelings and can experience discomfort or fear if handled roughly. Emphasize that a gentle touch builds trust and a stronger bond between them and their dog. You can also demonstrate the appropriate way to pet and handle their furry companion by gently stroking them on a part of their body where they’re used to being touched, like their chest, the base of their tail, and under their chin. 

Remind your kids to avoid pulling on ears or tails, as this could cause the dog discomfort. In addition, you should also teach them to be mindful of their canine companion’s body language. Signs like growling, whining, or backing away mean that the dog is stressed or frustrated, and the best response is to respect these signals by giving the dog space.

Finally, reinforce the importance of being calm and patient, and praise your kids when they handle the dog correctly. There’s no better to ingrain the habit of positive reinforcement for your dog than affirming your kids and encouraging them to practice the desired actions consistently. 

3) Discover What Motivates Your Dog Together with Your Kids

Discovering what motivates your dog is another essential part of positive reinforcement training, as different dogs can be motivated by different rewards (e.g. treats versus verbal praise). While you can do this alone, it will be particularly rewarding to let your kids figure this out along with you. 

Spend some time as a family experimenting with different types of rewards to see which ones your dog responds to best. Let your kids take turns offering different rewards and noting the dog’s reactions so that everyone can better understand their canine buddy’s behaviors. It may take some time, but it will definitely teach your children the importance of paying attention to the dog’s signals and preferences, ultimately building a deeper connection between them and their pet.

4) Engineer a Fun Training Environment for Everyone

A fun training environment will keep a dog motivated and prevent boredom, which can lead to more effective learning. For kids, in turn, a better environment can turn training from a chore into a delightful activity, fostering a positive attitude towards their responsibilities in general. 

You can design simple obstacle courses together in the backyard, play hide and seek with treats, or use interactive toys to make learning new commands more exciting. Incorporate games that challenge the dog’s intelligence and test their problem-solving abilities, like hiding treats under cups and letting them figure out which cup contains a treat at different turns. Finally, encourage your kids to cheer and celebrate the dog’s successes to make the atmosphere more positive and energetic.

5) Supervise Training Sessions

Lastly, remember to always be present during a dog’s training session to provide kids with necessary guidance while ensuring that there’s always someone to intervene before things go awry. Adult supervision also helps maintain consistency in training methods and assurance that the dog is being handled correctly. 

Also take the opportunity to model desired behaviors in front of your kids, such as showing them how to give commands, how to reward the dog appropriately, and how to respond to the dog’s actions. Your supervision will allow your kids to learn the correct techniques and understand the importance of patience and consistency in your family dog’s training.

These tips should help you and your kids practice positive reinforcement training together, all towards your dog’s growth and well-being. Let training be a family effort, and you’ll be able to enjoy the rewarding experience of raising your new pup together. 

The post How to Get Kids Involved in Dog Training Using Positive Reinforcement appeared first on Geek Mamas .