Top 10 Tips for Dog Training
If you are looking to get the best out of your dog and have a successful dog training, you should follow the below instructions carefully. That way you will achieve soon a good dog behaviour.
1. Think like a dog!
The more you can understand how dogs think and communicate, the more successful your training will be. Use your body language to communicate with your dog. Smile if your dog has done a good job so he will know that he has done the right thing. Always use positive re-enforcement, pats, belly rubs and treats.
2. Simple lessons, practised often!
Training can be tiring for your dog, especially for young puppies, so keep your sessions short and simple. It is always better to train your dog for five or ten minutes each day on one thing than to train him for an hour once a week.
3. Consistency is important!
A dog will learn more quickly if you are consistent in the training. All members of the family should use the same commands. Make sure you use one command for a single behaviour. For example, if you say “Down” to your dog when he jumps up then do not use “Down” to mean lie down as well. It is better to choose a different word for this command such as “Lay” or “Drop”.
4. Have fun!
Have fun when you train your dog, if you are having fun then the dog will also enjoy the training. If you are in a bad mood wait until you are in a better frame of mind to commence the lesson. The training will be more successful this way. Your dog could pick up on your negative energy and the training will not be successful.
5. If you get frustrated, take a break!
If you find that a training session is not going well and that you are getting frustrated or angry, it is usually best to take a break and try again later. Training your dog can sometimes be frustrating. There will be times when it feels as if nothing is going right or that your dog has forgotten everything he learned the day before. This may be because your dog is tired or feeling a little off colour. They have their bad days just as we do. Whatever the reason, try to end the session on a good note by asking your dog to do something easy that he knows well (maybe a "Sit") and then call it a day.
6. Be more interesting to your dog than the distractions around you!
One of the biggest challenges we face when training our dogs is getting their attention. People often find that their dog will behave beautifully at home or in the garden but that is all falling apart in the park or public. This is because there are more distractions when you go for a walk. So how can you get his attention? Different dogs are motivated by different things. Try using different rewards (see tip 7 below). Also the more dynamic you are, the more interesting you will be - try jumping around, making high pitched noises, running away, clapping your hands or lying down. You may feel a bit of a fool but your dog will be intrigued!
7. Find out what motivates your dog!
Different dogs are motivated by different types of rewards. Some are very food-motivated while others prefer toys. You will need to experiment with your dog to find out which rewards hold the highest value for him. I’ve seen dogs who got motivated by the strangest things!
8. Exercise your dog every day!
Physical and mental exercise will help to have a relaxed and trainable dog. When your dog doesn't get enough exercise, behavioural problems can follow. When wearing a backpack your dog will get more exercise for your money. Exercise on daily basis will improve the whole behaviour of your dog in a positive way.
9. Punishment is not helpful!
Always remember punishment is not the solution for bad behaviour. It takes time and effort to see real improvement in your dog's behaviour. Don't let your frustrations distract you from your goal to properly and successfully train your pet. Why should your dog come back to you when he knows he will not expect a good thing? No reason, no dog! A reason could for example be some treats or a good game with your dog’s favourite toy.
10. Set boundaries!
Your dog will appreciate clear rules in your house. In the wild, the pack leader would also set some rules for the whole pack and everybody would follow these rules. Be very strict and your dog will accept you as a pack leader. And always remember being strict means not being bad to your dog.