Ask Dr. Anna: Reward making for better obedience

Starting obedience training with our pets is a lot like teaching someone a new language. In the past, it was common for trainers to use physical correction, coercion, and punishment to force animals to perform behaviors. Recently, with the help of psychological research, we’ve learned that animals can be taught in a more efficient and humane way. By using a mixture of “shaping” (using a lure to guide your pet into a desired position or behavior) and “capturing” (rewarding your pet for demonstrating a  desired position or behavior on his/her own), trainers have found a way to help pets learn without the use of harsher methods that can lead to future  problems.