Timing and Attention Matter in Dog Training, New Study Shows

Analysis of videos of dog training sessions show that getting the dog’s attention and good timing of rewards are linked to better results. By Zazie Todd, PhD A new study looks at the interactions between people and dogs whilst teaching ‘lie down’. The results show the importance of the timing of rewards and of getting the dog’s attention in order to be successful in dog training. The study is part of a wider research project at the University of Sydney into what they call “dogmanship.” I asked first author Dr. Elyssa Payne ( University of Sydney ) what this means. “The formal definition for dogmanship is an individual's ability to interact with dogs,” she told me in an email. “So, someone with good dogmanship is more likely to get the best out of that dog (which could manifest in good obedience performance, working success or just a good companion relationship).” The study analysed 43 videos of dogs being trained to lie down that the researchers found on Youtube. Th