Training tips for dogs
>> 11/6/09
There's nothing more enjoyable than a trained dog. They're a pleasure to own and you can take them anywhere and be confident that they'll behave nicely. It does take some effort, but you too can have a dog that you can be proud of.
Here are some guidelines on training your dog.
1. Start training from puppy hood. There's no reason to wait until your dog is a certain age to start training him. He's been learning from his mom and litter mates from a very young age, and he can continue to learn from the time you take him home.
2. It's a good idea to take your dog to training classes in the beginning. This is as much to teach you as it is to teach him. You can become familiar with how dogs learn, and the various training methods under the guidance of an expert instructor. To get the full benefit of a training class, you'll need to do some homework. Some aspects of dog training can be tricky to master and if you practice at home, you can then ask the instructor for help with problem areas.
3. Be consistent with your training. If you ask your dog to sit and he doesn't, don't reward him, because he'll learn that he doesn't really have to do what you ask. Only ever reward the behavior you want, which means he isn't rewarded until he sits. Dogs are thought to have the attention span of young children, so 3 ten minute sessions a day are more productive than one half hour block of training. In the early stages of his learning, train him in a quiet place that's free of distractions. As he learns, you can then take him to busier noisier places to reinforce his learning.
4. Avoid the use of punishment or harsh handling. If you punish your dog, you don't really know if he understands what the punishment is for. You may punish him for not dropping on command, and he may misinterpret the punishment as being for scratching himself. There's too much risk of mixed messages, and it's not worth it. Not only that, punishment will make your dog afraid of you, and damage your relationship. Have patience. Not all dogs learn at the same rate. If you get frustrated at your dog, walk away. Take a break from training and try again later when you're more relaxed.
5. There are many positive methods of training dogs, such as using food treats, or toys as rewards. One of my favorite methods is clicker training. It's a proven method of training and is based on the scientific principles that are used to train dolphins in marine parks. Using a clicker, you can specifically mark the behavior you want to reward, and make it easier for your dog to understand what you want him to do. You can even teach your dog to perform tricks using a clicker, which will be great fun for both of you.
Take the time to train your dog, and you'll find you enjoy his company so much more. It's a great relationship building activity for both of you.
This article was written especially for you by Dr. Susan Wright for Dog Fence DIY. Dog Fence DIY shows pet owners how to create a pet containment system for their home and train their pet on how to use it. They stock a wide variety of systems from leading manufacturers like Innotek, PetSafe, and SportDog. Please visit Dog Fence DIY for all your electric dog fence needs.
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Here are some guidelines on training your dog.
1. Start training from puppy hood. There's no reason to wait until your dog is a certain age to start training him. He's been learning from his mom and litter mates from a very young age, and he can continue to learn from the time you take him home.
2. It's a good idea to take your dog to training classes in the beginning. This is as much to teach you as it is to teach him. You can become familiar with how dogs learn, and the various training methods under the guidance of an expert instructor. To get the full benefit of a training class, you'll need to do some homework. Some aspects of dog training can be tricky to master and if you practice at home, you can then ask the instructor for help with problem areas.
3. Be consistent with your training. If you ask your dog to sit and he doesn't, don't reward him, because he'll learn that he doesn't really have to do what you ask. Only ever reward the behavior you want, which means he isn't rewarded until he sits. Dogs are thought to have the attention span of young children, so 3 ten minute sessions a day are more productive than one half hour block of training. In the early stages of his learning, train him in a quiet place that's free of distractions. As he learns, you can then take him to busier noisier places to reinforce his learning.
4. Avoid the use of punishment or harsh handling. If you punish your dog, you don't really know if he understands what the punishment is for. You may punish him for not dropping on command, and he may misinterpret the punishment as being for scratching himself. There's too much risk of mixed messages, and it's not worth it. Not only that, punishment will make your dog afraid of you, and damage your relationship. Have patience. Not all dogs learn at the same rate. If you get frustrated at your dog, walk away. Take a break from training and try again later when you're more relaxed.
5. There are many positive methods of training dogs, such as using food treats, or toys as rewards. One of my favorite methods is clicker training. It's a proven method of training and is based on the scientific principles that are used to train dolphins in marine parks. Using a clicker, you can specifically mark the behavior you want to reward, and make it easier for your dog to understand what you want him to do. You can even teach your dog to perform tricks using a clicker, which will be great fun for both of you.
Take the time to train your dog, and you'll find you enjoy his company so much more. It's a great relationship building activity for both of you.
This article was written especially for you by Dr. Susan Wright for Dog Fence DIY. Dog Fence DIY shows pet owners how to create a pet containment system for their home and train their pet on how to use it. They stock a wide variety of systems from leading manufacturers like Innotek, PetSafe, and SportDog. Please visit Dog Fence DIY for all your electric dog fence needs.
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