Looking After Pets

No matter if you have a puppy or an older dog, it makes sense to put in a little bit of time training them. Although there is an abundance of information out there about how exactly to train your dog, you can’t go wrong with dog training guidance from the experts.

1.  Positive reinforcement is vital. Whilst there are numerous theories regarding how to train your dog, the majority of dog training experts acknowledge that positive reinforcement is most effective. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog with verbal praise “good dog”, physical praise like a pat on the head and food rewards. It doesn’t involve shouting at your dog, smacking or punishing them.

Positive reinforcement works simply because it creates a bond of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards particularly food rewards.

2. Consistency is essential. If you are working with your dog on a specific skill or trick then make an effort to train them at the same time each day. This helps your pet learn what to expect. The majority of dogs thrive on structure and will perform and learn faster if they know what is expected. If you are training using food rewards, try to train your dog before mealtime so they’re a little hungry and motivated.

3. Show patience. Dogs often learn in waves. Sometimes they pick things up rapidly and the next day it looks like you need to start over from the beginning. Be patient. Start each new trick with very small steps and be very clear about what you expect. Even with the smallest tricks like “sit” you will want to break it down into smaller steps.

4. Make use of hand cues as well as verbal cues. Some dogs have an easier time comprehending and remembering hand signals than they do with verbal cues. Assign a hand signal to each trick or behavior you are training.

5. Train in small increments. Dogs have short attention spans. Trying to train them for twenty or thirty minutes is not going to work. They’re going to get frustrated and lose focus. Instead, keep training sessions to no more than five minutes.

At first, you may want to train for just a minute or two until eventually your dog learns to look forward to training. Dogs can learn to dislike training. Keeping the training sessions short will help them learn to enjoy the process.

6. Always finish on a positive note. Learning a new trick is hard work. Conclude each training session, no matter how frustrating, on a positive note. Always give your dog a trick or behavior to perform that they know how to perform and finish with a food reward and plenty of praise.

7. Keep your dog healthy. Finally, one of the most important dog training tips from the experts recommends feeding your dog good quality dog food, giving them lots of fresh drinking water and ensuring they have adequate rest. A healthy dog is a happier dog and will learn desired behaviors much more quickly.

For more dog training tips, visit Dog Obedience Training.