The Reward Training Style
The reward training style of dog training is used by the largest percentage of dog owners today. However this method is far from new. This technique was most likely used centuries ago when wild dogs were first being domesticated. However this method has seen a huge spike in popuarity within the last 2 decades or so, since and animal's rights have become more respected. Many reward training specialists, don't approve of the leash and collar style of training, as its been proven that animals and humans alike respond better to getting rewards for good deeds as opposed to getting punished for disobeying. However many agree that a mixture of the 2 styles yields the best results. As we mentioned earlier not every dog responds to training the same way that any other given would, which is one a mix of the 2 styles is often times best.
Clicker training is especially popular in the reward training world. With clicker training, the clicker is used to signal to your dog that a reward is coming. When you can teach your dog to associate the clicker with a reward, you can teach them to respond to the click even without a treat or reward.
As the title implies, reward training involves rewarding your dog when they've done something they've been commanded to do. The reward in most cases is a food or treat, or something that they associate with recieving a reward such as the clicker we just discussed. One of the many benefits of this style is that it doesn't require physical contact, unless its a pat on the head or something along those lines. A simple "good dog" can be equally effective. Once your dog has completed the requested task, he is rewarded with a treat, until you are able to phase out the reward almost completely.
Once you've gotten your dog to respond to this form of training in a controlled enviroment, the next step is to train your dog to respond to commands in a public place such as a park or simply just around the neighborhood.