Theory & Basic Equipment

The primary goal of all animal training is behaviour modification.

The techniques used to accomplish this end are many and varied, and a more detailed discussion of them will appear in the next section. The underlying goal of behaviour modification is simple: to modify the animal's innate and automatic behaviours in such a way as to cause a permanent change in its response to certain stimuli. The most basic example is when a dog automatically and instantly sits when his owner says, "SIT". In a well-trained animal the reaction to a command or stimulus is completely instinctive and without thought. A good trainer or handler will apply consistency and simplicity to all of his training sessions. Don't try and have a conversation with your animal, it's not designed for English. Instead, consistently use simple devices such as one word commands in all of your sessions and you will meet with a much better result.
 

Training procedures are carried out using a very basic principle of animal conditioning

 -- the association of pleasure and pain. An owner's primary and underlying task in training the human dog is to associate massive amounts of pleasure to desired behaviours like obeying a command, and an adequate amount of pain to undesirable behaviours like peeing on the rug. The type and intensity of each aspect
-- pleasure or pain
-- is up to the trainer and should be tailored to suit the circumstances. In sessions where I have trained basic behaviours into a human animal, climbing on the bed has earned a few sound raps on the ass or balls with a rolled newspaper. Direct disobedience has resulted in a good beating coupled with longer term punishment, like attaching the chain between a pair of tit clamps to the collar and then holding the leash (connected at the other side of the collar) taught when it is being walked around.
 

In its simplest form, dog training requires a few basic tools.

A collar, for purposes of expressing or enforcing control of the animal, and a leash for the same reasons. A punishment device, such as a crop or rolled up paper is also essential. A method of reward, from a scratch on the head to a biscuit (find out what treat Your dog really loves and keep some on hand), completes the package. Other tools and toys can definitely add something to the arrangement when used properly, but are not required.