Description
To be effective, contends experienced dog trainer Claire Arrowsmith, you have to seize the moment. When a dog performs an action that pleases its owner, the reward--in the form of a treat, a pat, or a word of praise--must come instantly. After even the briefest of interludes between act and reward, the dog will fail to make the connection and the reward will have no meaning. This book shows owners how to sharpen their training skills by staying constantly aware of timing. The author offers a series of training exercises and activities, all of them focused on instant response, and all illustrated and described in easy-to-follow photo sequences. She also advises on ways to build on a dog's current skills, reinforcing the animal's good habits and progressing to new ones. Her methods incorporate various techniques, including clicker training, off-lead training, and others. This book features approximately 250 color photos.