• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Pet Food & Supply Store

Braxton's Is Hiring(610) 688-0769

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Braxtons Animal Works

Wayne, PA family-owned pet supply since 1938

  • Home
  • Photo Galleries
    • Harvest Fest 2019
    • Harvest Fest 2018
    • Pet Wellness Fair 2016
    • Harvest Fest Pictures 2015
    • TBT Pictures
  • Products
    • Self-Wash Pet Baths
    • Local Delivery
    • Canine DCM and Grain-Free Foods
    • Dog Supplies
    • Cat Supplies
    • Small Animal Supplies
    • Wild Bird Supplies
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Annual Harvest Fest
    • Annual Pet Wellness Fair
    • Pet Photos at Braxton’s
    • Pet Photos With Santa 2022
  • Pet Resources
    • Fear and Anxiety Remedies
    • Animal Rescue Organizations
    • Dog Trainers
    • Other Pet Professionals
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Photo Galleries
    • Harvest Fest 2019
    • Harvest Fest 2018
    • Pet Wellness Fair 2016
    • Harvest Fest Pictures 2015
    • TBT Pictures
  • Products
    • Self-Wash Pet Baths
    • Local Delivery
    • Canine DCM and Grain-Free Foods
    • Dog Supplies
    • Cat Supplies
    • Small Animal Supplies
    • Wild Bird Supplies
  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Annual Harvest Fest
    • Annual Pet Wellness Fair
    • Pet Photos at Braxton’s
    • Pet Photos With Santa 2022
  • Pet Resources
    • Fear and Anxiety Remedies
    • Animal Rescue Organizations
    • Dog Trainers
    • Other Pet Professionals
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Mobile Menu

Call Us

610-688-0769

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

A Journey Through the History of Dog Training

January 18, 2023 By //  by Tiffany Braxton 2 Comments

The history of dog training is a long and storied one, with roots in ancient practice and theory. From the earliest days of domestication, humans have used various methods, ranging from punishment to rewards, to train our canine companions. Throughout the ages, these techniques have varied drastically, but even more recently we are seeing an increase in more humane methods to train our canine friends. This shift towards kinder approaches is beneficial not only for the dogs receiving the training but also for their owners and society as a whole.

Early History

The first documented examples of dog training date back to ancient Egypt around 2000BCE. During this time, hunters employed a system of rewards and punishments to teach their dogs how to hunt alongside them. This system of reward-based training persisted up until the 19th century when modern animal behaviorism began to form.

The earliest proponent of systematic animal welfare was biologist Robert Garner who believed that animals should be trained using positive reinforcement instead of punishment. His work inspired much of what we now consider “positive reinforcement” techniques such as clicker-training and luring with treats.

20th Century Progress

Although animal behaviorists did not begin focusing on dog training until the 1900s—most notably prominent psychologist B.F Skinner—it wouldn’t be until after World War II that these ideas would gain traction in mainstream culture. Pressure from animal rights activists lead many countries (such as Great Britain) to introduce legislation criminalizing cruel treatment of animals, which inadvertently had a positive effect on how pets were trained at home as well.

It was during this time that many new humane forms of pet training began appearing—such as operant conditioning or “clicker” training which involved rewarding good behaviors with food rewards or other positive reinforcements without resorting to punitive measures such as physical punishment or intimidation tactics—which were still common before this period due to lack of knowledge regarding modern theories in animal learning psychology.

Present Day Considerations

Today’s trainers largely employ humane methods based on an understanding that animals learn best through positive reinforcement rather than fear tactics. Most trainers now use force-free methods such as clicker training or nose-targeting; those who do still use physical corrections take great care to ensure that they do so in safe and respectful ways which focus on teaching rather than punishing the animal for bad behaviors. Additionally, many trainers also provide owners with education materials about proper dog handling techniques and strategies for dealing with common behavioral issues; such as resource guarding or barking excessively, in order to facilitate better communication between pet and owner alike. You can see a list of training professionals that Braxton’s recommends here.

In conclusion, we can see just how far pet training has come over the years from ancient Egypt up until present day; shifting away from coercive methods towards increasingly more humane ones which prioritize teaching over punishing! As long as both owner and trainer are open minded enough to embrace these new forms of education, we can expect our beloved furry friends will soon become even better mannered citizens.

Filed Under: Braxton's Blog

You May Also Be Interested In:

Catnip Craze: The Purrfect High for Felines – Unleash the Inner Party Animal in Your Kitty!

Silence the Ruff-ians: A Pawsome Guide to Curb Your Dog’s Territorial Barking!

Unlock the Power of Nature: Discover the Remarkable Benefits of Raw Goat’s Milk for Your Beloved Pets!

Sniffles and Sneezes: The Definitive Guide to Seasonal Allergies in Pets!

Fuel Your Pet with the Best: Introducing First Mate Pet Food at Braxton’s!

Unleashing the Truth: Understanding Resource Aggression in Dogs and How to Tame It!

Chews Wisely, Chews Yak: Explore the Benefits of Himalayan Cheese Chews for your Four-Legged Friend!

Decoding Feline Feasts: A Fascinating Journey Through the History of Cat Nutrition and Dietary Practices

Food Energetics: Unlocking the Key to Optimal Health for Your Pet!

Previous Post: « Taking Care of Your Pet’s Teeth: The Importance of Dental Hygiene
Next Post: Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth: Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Smile »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Words Animals

    March 31, 2023 at 6:28 am

    Your article is very helpful for me after reading your article I got a lot of information my name Elias Jaxon. I am gating information about cat your article is very fantastic.

    Reply
    • to m

      May 5, 2023 at 9:56 am

      this is no where good

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Contact Braxton’s

RECENT POSTS

Heat Stroke Prevention with Pets and What Happens if You Don’t…

Braxton's always strives to give pet owners the necessary …

Catnip Craze: The Purrfect High for Felines – Unleash the Inner Party Animal in Your Kitty!

As pet owners, we always want to make sure that our furry …

Silence the Ruff-ians: A Pawsome Guide to Curb Your Dog’s Territorial Barking!

If you are a pet parent, you must have experienced a situation …

Unlock the Power of Nature: Discover the Remarkable Benefits of Raw Goat’s Milk for Your Beloved Pets!

As a pet owner, your animal's health and well-being is important …

Footer

Location

620 West Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 688-0769
(800) 281-4820

Looking For Love?

See our calendar for upcoming adoption appointments!

View Calendar →

Grain Free and DCM

There is a lot of misleading information out there and more information coming all the time. Check here for updates.
Read More →

Connect With Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Canine DCM and Grain-Free Foods
  • Cat Supplies
  • Dog Supplies
  • Self-Wash Pet Baths
  • Small Animal Supplies
  • Wild Bird Supplies

© 2023 Braxton's Animal Works. All rights reserved.
Website by GetPhound.

620 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 688-0769 • (800) 281-4820