What You Need to Know About Dog Training
When you are looking to make sure that your dog is well trained and attentive to your commands, you’ll find that there are plenty of things that you can teach them, from the very basic and necessary commands like heel or sit, to more complex tricks like barking on command or learning how to roll over. The truth of the matter is that for the most part, dogs are quite trainable, and that with enough time and effort, you can make them do almost exactly what you say. If you are looking to train your dog, just keep some of the following in mind.
The first thing that you need to understand is that dogs are into pleasing you. If you can establish yourself as the pack leader in your dog’s pack, they will be very interested in doing what you say and pleasing you, so you have this on your side. Unlike cats, who are reward oriented, dogs are process oriented, and you’ll find that if you give them enough praise they will be willing to roll over and bark for you…. often literally!
When you are training your dog, remember that the key that you need to keep in mind is patience and repetition. Don’t expect your dog to get it all at once. It can take weeks and even months before your dog is able to master a trick or a command, so remember that you should be patient. Also remember that you should keep your training sessions short and sweet. The more your dog can associate them with pleasant things, the more eager they will be to learn more and to please you.
When you are training your dog, do not let him expect a treat. You’ll find that dogs are more than willing to perform for praise, so make sure that having a treat is just that; something that happens rarely and when they have been extra good. What you are trying to avoid is letting your dog believe that he will receive the treat whenever he performs his trick. Some well meaning dog owners will give their dog a treat whenever they performs their trick, even when they haven’t been asked, and this is really the wrong way to go.
When you want to train your dog, make sure that you end your practice on a high note. Let your dog know how happy you are with them, and make sure that they are eager to get started with their lessons again the next time they roll around. Take some time to make sure that your dog is a good learner and you’ll find that they will surprise you!
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- Thomas Turner
