Dog training is an engaging and rewarding experience for you and your beloved dog. Like humans, dogs should know how to behave correctly, especially outside when other people and animals surround them. In addition, training also ensures that your dog is safe and welcomed everywhere he goes.
Tips You Might Want To Consider
Training your dog can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. It’s also a big project you need to focus on. However, consistently and correctly doing it will make it easier for you in the long run. Here are several tips you might want to consider:
Use Small Treats
It’s always wise to give your dog small puppy treats to reward them during training. For example, you can use tiny pieces of string cheese, soft food treats, or small cuts of hot dogs that your dog can swallow immediately. In addition, it would be best to avoid giving them hard and crunchy treats since they might take a while to chew and swallow.
It’s essential to give the small treats a second after your dog performs the desired behavior during training. The quicker you reward, the easier it is for your pup to understand the action you’re trying to teach him. Furthermore, don’t forget to say “very good” or “good boy” when giving the reward.
Don’t Train When Your Dog Isn’t in the Mood
It’s recommended not to train your dog when he isn’t in a mood. For example, he might be tired, hot, or sleepy. You would want your dog to stay focused during training sessions.
Train Before Meals
It’s vital to schedule your dog training sessions before your pup’s regular meals. This will make him pay more attention to your directions. Since he hasn’t had a regular meal, he will do his best to earn a tasty bite.
Train Without Distractions
Schedule your dog training at a time where no one will distract you or when you’re not in a rush. It would be best to keep your phone away so you won’t answer any calls. Doing so will give you quality time to devote to your dog’s training.
You can choose a room in your house that’s big enough for the both of you to move around. Then, once your dog already determines what you want him to do, you can select to move the training sessions outside, ideally to a fenced-in area.
Keep Training Sessions Short
You can start teaching your pup good manners a few days after he has adjusted to your home. It’s recommended to keep your training sessions short at about ten to fifteen minutes only. In addition, it’s okay to repeat the session on the same day, but it should be brief.
Use Positivity
It would be easier for your dog to respond to your direction if you made it more fun. According to animal behaviorists, the old ways of harsh corrections might work on your pet only once or twice. However, they are often ineffective and inhumane in the long run. Furthermore, your dog will never understand what made you angry with him.
A journal entitled Applied Animal Behavior Science showed that aggressive dogs that were trained by using confrontational, aggressive, or aversive training techniques continued their aggressive ways. On the other hand, non-aversive training methods like rewards or exercise are successful in lessening or eliminating your dog’s aggressive responses.
Positive reinforcement is key in letting your dog know you are happy with him. Also, this makes it easier to repeat the excellent behavior next time. You can establish a reward by taking advantage of toys and food or petting them every time they do a good job. Doing so will make him work hard, hoping you’ll reward him for it.
Say a Cue Word Only Once
It’s essential to say cue words like “down,” “sit,” “roll over,” and the like only once. Dogs are pretty smart, and once they hear your command, they will follow it for the first time. Furthermore, repeating the cue words often won’t help your dog sharpen his listening skills and will just tune you out.
Be Patient
If you start to feel annoyed while training your dog, don’t get angry with him. Instead, end the session and try again later. In addition, dogs tend to feel nervous when their trainers yell at them, leading them to stop paying attention.
If you yell or get angry at your dog during training, they might become scared and decide that following your commands might not be for them. Moreover, staying relaxed and calm during training sessions would be best so that your pup will learn in a positive and happy environment.
To Sum It Up
Proper training and socialization are considered your dog’s basic needs. That’s why training your dog as soon as possible is essential. In addition, don’t forget to use positive reinforcements during training sessions to encourage them to do their best in responding to your commands.
