Andy Ramshaw of Venture Dog Training in Ballybofey launches his new column series on Donegal Daily with vital tips on how to use rewards to train your dog.
Andy founded Venture Dog Training in 2019 to provide ethical and force-free training and support so that pet dogs and their owners can understand each other better while fulfilling their training needs.
Andy is a member of the Pet Professional Network and The Irish Veterinary Behaviour Association is a strong advocate of teaching without fear or pain and only uses reward-based techniques.
He offers bespoke one to one training programmes for puppies through to adult dogs. These are delivered in our clients’ homes, gardens or areas where their dogs and puppies are comfortable. Find out more at www.venturedogtraining.ie
What is Dog Training and Why Use Rewards?
Dog training is simply teaching your dog specific actions or behaviours and connecting them with verbal cues. Being able to communicate with your dog is the key to a happy life for both of you.
It’s crucial for building a strong bond and trust between you and your furry friend. As you welcome a new puppy or rescue dog into your home, remember that dogs only know how to be dogs. Your job is to guide them, and training with rewards plays a big part in making this process effective.
Every dog and owner are unique, living in different environments with various lifestyles. Training helps shape behaviours based on your lifestyle, preferences and household rules, no matter where you are or what breed your dog is.
It’s important to understand your dogs’ breed characteristics and the job they were originally bred to do. Most dog breeds have a history tied to specific tasks. Labrador Retrievers, for example, were bred to retrieve game for hunters. Collies were bred to herd sheep and cattle. Knowing these traits is essential for effective training.
Successful training starts with finding what motivates your dog. Whether it’s food, praise, or play, rewards become essential tools for teaching and maintaining good behaviour. This is known as positive reinforcement and builds a strong bond between you and your dog.
Your training can also tap into a dog’s natural skills and instincts, meeting their mental and physical needs. Redirecting these behaviours positively ensures fulfilment for both you and your dog.
Good training is more than just giving commands for your dog to obey. It’s about seeing the world from your dog’s viewpoint. A good trainer helps establish clear communication, building mutual trust and respect for a better relationship.
In the journey of dog training, rewards are the key to effective communication and trust. Understanding your dog’s unique traits and preferences is vital.
If you want to deepen your connection with your dog or teach them new behaviours, consider seeking help from a professional trainer like Andy at Venture Dog Training.
Together, you can strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend.
Andy Ramshaw is the owner of Venture Dog Training. Andy is educated by the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, The School of Canine Science, Canine Principles, Kay Laurence Learning About Dogs and Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Sirius Dog Trainer Academy.
The Grandson of a Gamekeeper and son of a Policeman, Andy grew up in North-East England with aspirations of a career as a Police Dog Handler. Black Labradors, Springer Spaniels and Red Setters were Andy’s childhood companions.
The traditional dog training methods used pain or discomfort didn’t appeal to Andy, so he sought out more ethical, scientific methods. This led to a voyage of discovery into the world of not just dog training and how to teach and reinforce behaviours in dogs.
Andy is a member of the Pet Professional Network and The Irish Veterinary Behaviour Association is a strong advocate of teaching without fear or pain and only uses reward-based techniques.
Andy shares his life with a Black Labrador called Casey and a Chocolate Labrador called Hunter.
Based in North West Ireland we are available to contact personally Monday – Friday 9am – 5.30pm and Saturday 9am – 12pm (GMT)
Contact: +353 87 340 6158
Facebook: Venture Dog Training
Instagram: @venturedogtrainer
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