Regardless of whether you have a brand new puppy or an older dog, it makes good sense to devote a little bit of time training them. Even though there is an abundance of information out there about how to train your dog, you cannot go wrong with dog training tips from the professionals.
1. Positive reinforcement is crucial. Whilst there are several theories concerning 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 does not involve yelling at your dog, hitting or punishing them.
Positive reinforcement works because it forms a relationship of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards especially food rewards.
2. Consistency is essential. If youre working with your dog on a specific skill or trick then attempt to train them at the same time every day. This helps your pet know what to expect. Most dogs thrive on structure and will perform and learn faster once they know what is expected. If youre training using food rewards, try to train your dog before mealtime so they are a little hungry and motivated.
3. Have patience. Dogs often learn in waves. Sometimes they pick things up rapidly then the next day it seems like you need to start over from the beginning. Be patient. Begin each new trick with tiny steps and be crystal clear about what you expect. Even with the smallest tricks such as sit you should break it down into smaller steps.
4. Use hand cues in addition to verbal cues. Some dogs have an easier time understanding and remembering hand signals than they do with verbal cues. Assign a hand signal to each trick or behavior you're training.
5. Train in small increments. Dogs have short attention spans. Trying to train them for twenty or thirty minutes is not likely to work. They are likely to get frustrated and lose focus. Instead, keep training sessions to no more than five minutes.
To start with, you may choose to train for just a minute or two until 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 brand new trick is hard work. Finish every 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 water and ensuring they have enough sleep. A healthy dog is a more content dog and will understand desired behaviors far more quickly.
