Purple and Paws Maybe you’ve just welcomed a new furry friend to the family. Maybe you’d like to teach your dog some new tricks. Whatever the case may be, training a dog can be a sometimes-frustrating, often-tricky, yet ultimately-rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help anyone training their dog.
Use Positive Reinforcements
Dogs just want to make us happy, so using positive reinforcement and cutting down on “no” is best when training your pup. Do not shout at or berate your dog, either. Praise her when she makes a correct move and ignore any mistakes during sessions. Because dogs learn by association, this will help your four-legged pal understand and repeat an action when it is reinforced in a positive manner.
Train in a Distraction-Free Zone
One of the most basic requirements of training is focus. Your dog cannot concentrate on what you’re telling him if there’s too many other people around or loud noises. When beginning a training session, pick a time and place where there are little to no distractions and use eye contact and clapping to make sure your pooch is focused entirely on you and waiting for his cues.
Be Consistent
Not only do dogs need positive reinforcement, but they also need consistency to help them catch on to what you’re trying to teach them. Decide what cues you want to use for certain must-know commands (such as “sit”, “lie down”, “stay”, and “come”) and stick with those cues at all times. You will just confuse your dog if you say “stay” in one session then say “don’t move” in the next. Being consistent with your cues means your dog will understand what you want quicker.
Use Small Treats
Treats are a great way to reward your dog and keep her attention focused on you during training. But you don’t want to overfeed her or cause her to be distracted by giving her a large treat to consume. Using small treats that your dog can bite once and swallow will allow her to concentrate on training instead of her stomach.
Keep Lessons Short and Vary The Locale
Just like humans, dogs can get burned out if they do the same thing over and over for long periods of time. Your dog will learn faster if you stick to 10 minutes or less training segments. Mini training sessions can also be beneficial for humans since they can easily fit into a busy schedule. It’s also a good idea to train your dog in different locations. Sure, he’ll come to you when you call him in the backyard, but what about at the park or on a walk when calling “come” could mean the difference between life and death? Teach him to obey your commands in every setting so he’ll listen no matter where you two are.
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