Basic Dog Training Obedience Advice

Dog obedience training is not complicated. The main requirement is patience, and with that you can train pretty much any dog. You also need time, not as much as you might think, but on a regular basis.

You need to be prepared to set aside 30 minutes or so each day for a few weeks. the reward for your time and patience will be a dog you will be proud to own, and who you will have taught the basic obedience that may well save his life one day when you tell him to stay (and he does) when there's a car coming.

There are those who will tell you that it's never too young to start training your dog. Well, I suppose it's a matter of opinion, but in mine the best age is around nine months.

Much before that and they really are too much of a pup. However, as soon as your dog has had his innoculations he should be taken out and about with you as much as possible, and socialise him with as many other dogs as you can. Just don't worry about formal training until around the nine month mark.

So by the time you start training proper you will have a dog who thinks you are his best pal and will already be anxious to please you, a great start. It's now your job to make him understand what it is you require of him.

If his actions bring him praise and maybe a little treat (my favourite are gravy bones snapped in half) he will be keen to repeat those actions. On the other hand if he gets ignored and no treat he will soon get the message that he has done wrong, and will avoid that behaviour.

You need to make the training session fun for both the dog and yourself, whilst still being firm when neccesary. When you find yourself getting tired and irritated (and you will) that's the time to call it a day, and why I say 30 minutes is plenty long enough at any one time.

Another good idea is to split the 30 minutes up into two sessions of 15 minutes each, with a few minutes break in between.

I know these days it's seen as not particularly PC but I'm a great believer in a decent choke chain on a lead of about 5 feet. Obviously you don't have to strangle your dog, but tightening it when you give a command, and more importantly loosening it as soon as he obeys, works well without causing any distress. Keep the collar loose always unless you are correcting him or giving a command.

Keep your dog alert, don't let his attention wander during the session. One sign of a well trained dog is their response to the sound of your voice. When their attention starts to wander in the early stages of training that's the time to give your dog (and you) that few minutes break between sessions.

If you find the idea of training your dog yourself just too much you might like the idea of obedience training classes. There are many of these, and I can pretty much guarantee there will be one not too far from you. Ask your vet, they are a mine of information.

Whatever you do, don't neglect training your dog. A well trained, obedient dog is a happy dog, and you will be a happy, confident owner.

Chris Haycock has owned and trained dogs for many years. His current companion is a whippet bitch called Winnie. To learn more about dog obedience training the easy way Click Here.