If you have a new dog or an old one that could use some training, why not use technology to make the training more fun and exciting? From fancy new feeders to automated fetch machines, the number of new and exciting gadgets for your dog to interact with increases every year.
Technology can be especially useful when it comes to training your dog. Not only does it make the process more exciting and fun, they also help teach obedience more quickly and efficiently. Here are our top five tech recommendations to use when training your dog.
Training Collars
Using training collars can be an effective tool to teach your dog basic obedience skills such as recall. There are a lot of different types of training collars on the market, but remote training collars remain one of the more popular options.
A remote training collar is the same as a regular training collar, but features a wireless receiver on the dog collar and a handheld transmitter or app for you to use. Different collars use different deterrent methods, such as vibrations, static shocks, or specific sounds, to assist in the training process.
However, it’s important to note that these devices should not be used by themselves. Instead, they should be used alongside positive reinforcement techniques (such as giving your dog treats). You should think of training collars as a supplementary tool for training, rather than a standalone training method.
Shock collars, when used incorrectly or excessively, can lead to more harm than good.
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Potty Training Your Dog
If you are having trouble potty training your dog, then a potty trainer might help them learn quicker. Some dog potty training devices feature a pad which knows when a dog has used the device correctly, and rewards them with a treat. This can help train your puppy even if you’re not around to provide them with treats, hugs, or other forms of positive reinforcements.
A puppy potty training pad might help your dog to learn faster. Credit: Mofish Dog Grass Potty Systems.
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Keeping An Eye On Your Pup Even If You’re Not Around
There are plenty of cameras on the market that offer you the ability to monitor your dog when you’re away. Certain models even feature two-way communication systems to allow you to talk to your dog, which can be extremely useful in the initial stages of training. Some models also include a built-in dispenser that allows you to reward your pooch instantly if they are being good or going potty in the right places.
A dog camera, like the Furbo 360° pictured, ensures that you can always keep an eye on your furry friend at all times.
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Dogs Have Better Hearing Sensitivity, So Use That To Your Advantage
There are plenty of devices that you can buy which create sonic frequency sound waves. These sound waves are extremely unpleasant for dogs, thus it can be used to let your dog know which behaviors are ‘bad’, such as barking, jumping, or chewing on your furniture.
Sonic frequency sound devices, like the one from Queenmew pictured above, are great for deterring unwanted behaviors.
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Stop Your Dog Barking With This One Simple Tech!
While a small amount of barking is normal, excessive barking is not, and this behavior should be corrected as soon as possible. There are some devices on the market that can help correct this behavior, from small devices that you can carry around, to sound emitting collars, to bark control units that you can place in your home. The control units will blast an ultrasonic sound whenever it detects barking, deterring your dog from barking excessively.
Conclusion
While using technology can certainly make training your dog much quicker and easier, they should not replace you as the ‘main’ dog trainer. Dogs are extremely social animals and they need a lot of human contact. Therefore, you should use technology to support your dog’s training but the main training should still come from you.
Always remember that the most effective way to train your dog is by using positive reinforcement and to have a consistent training schedule. You can provide positive reinforcement by rewarding your dog with treats, compliments, and scratches for good behavior. It’s never a good idea to use aggressive or punishment-based training (punish your dog for non-good behaviors) as this can cause your dog to have even worse behaviors and lose trust in you.
