Whether you have a new puppy or an old dog, it makes sense to put in a bit of time training them. Even though there is an abundance of information available about how exactly to train your dog, you can’t go wrong with dog training guidance from the experts.
1. Positive reinforcement is really important. While there are lots of theories on how to train your dog, most 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 yelling at your dog, hitting or punishing them.
Positive reinforcement works since it forms a relationship of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards especially food rewards.
2. Consistency is important. If you are working with your dog on a particular skill or trick then try to train them at the same time each day. This helps your dog learn what to expect. The majority of dogs thrive on structure and will perform and learn faster when 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. Have patience. Dogs have a tendency to learn in waves. Sometimes they pick things up quickly then the following day it seems like you have to start over from the very beginning. Be patient. Start each new trick with really small steps and be very clear about what you expect. Even with the smallest tricks like “sit” you should break it down into smaller steps.
4. Make use of hand cues in addition to 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. Attempting to train them for twenty or thirty minutes isn’t likely to work. They are likely to become frustrated and lose focus. Instead, keep training sessions to a maximum of five minutes.
At first, you may choose to train for only 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 end on a positive note. Learning a new trick is hard work. Conclude every training session, no matter how frustrating, on a positive note. Always give your dog a trick or behavior to perform that they have learned to perform and finish with a food reward and a lot of praise.
7. Keep your dog healthy. Finally, one of the most important dog training tips from the experts recommends feeding your dog a quality dog food, giving them plenty of fresh drinking water and making certain they have sufficient sleep. A healthy dog is a happier dog and will understand desired behaviors much more quickly.
For more dog training tips, visit Obedience Training for Dogs.