Dog Training Basics

Pick a style, any style. There are numerous ways to train your pooch, and the style you select should match your and your dog’s personality. No matter which way you choose to train your dog, there are a few helpful suggestions that you can follow. With a little time and patience, your dog will be on his way to obedience in no time!

Do start early. You should begin training your dog at a young age. Young dogs learn quickly and have not had time to develop bad or destructive behaviors. Young dogs are also more likely to be submissive. Dogs are naturally part of a pack, and they look to the strongest ones to lead them. If your dog has control of you early on, then it will be much more difficult to get him to obey. If you’ve adopted an adult dog, or just realized that your adult dog needs additional training, then don’t fret. Older dogs can also be trained. It may take more time and effort, but their age has not affected their intelligence.

Do reward your dog. Oh the power of positive reinforcement! Your dog will learn early on to associate certain behaviors. For instance, rewarding him for learning a new trick will make him more likely to perform the trick in the future. Be careful, though. Rewarding your dog does not always involve treats. Training with treats can be effective, but you must look out for the health of your dog. Rewarding can include throwing Frisbee or taking your dog on a play date. Dogs love to be around you and others; food doesn’t always have to be a reward.

Do be consistent. Dogs learn from consistent behavior. If you have chosen a certain command to stop your dog from barking, then always use that command. Saying “stop” one day and “be quiet” the next only confuses your dog and hinders the training.

Do use your dog’s personality to your advantage. If your dog is aggressive, then he may require a more aggressive approach. Loud and stern commands are just one example. If your dog is shy and timid, then he may require a more calm approach with tons of positive reinforcement. Always take your dog’s personality into consideration when choosing a training method.

Don’t focus on correction. If your dog is digging holes and chewing up the furniture, then it should be obvious that training should have started earlier. With a young dog (or older ones), you can focus on prevention instead of correction. Teach him things not to do before he makes a habit of out doing those things.

Don’t get angry. This is probably one of the most frequent and most common pieces of advice you will ever receive. Getting angry with your pet will only scare him and possibly damage your relationship. As mentioned earlier, pets learn better with positive reinforcement because of the pleasant associations they make with the behavior. If your dog is rewarded instead of punished, then his learning will be improved and develop more quickly.

Don’t give up. Giving up is another reaction that can damage the relationship between you and your dog. Some dogs take longer to learn, but this does not mean that they are incapable. If one method does not work, then try another method. Still, remain consistent in your commands and your rewards. If you have tried everything with no results, then consider enrolling your dog in obedience classes. Professional training may be your best option.

Don’t expect too much too quick. Dogs are intelligent creatures that enjoy learning new things. However, a well-trained dog will not result overnight. Training takes time, patience, and continuous work. As you start to see small changes in your dog, then you should feel like your efforts are worthwhile. It may take time, but training will help your pooch learn desired behaviors.

There are a variety of training methods. You should take your dog’s personality and your available time into consideration before you choose the one that is right for you. With all training techniques, there are a few similar guidelines. It is easiest to start training a dog early, but older dogs can learn, too. Consistency and positive reinforcement are two main factors in training. No matter what you do, don’t give up! There are ways that your dog will learn; you just have to discover them.