Dog training - the basics
All dogs, regardless of their breed, size or sex, require training. While some may require more aggressive training than others, the fact of the matter is dogs will only live by what they learn, and will only learn what you teach them. Therefore, for the sake of the items in your home and your sanity, as well as the health and wellbeing of your dog, training is an essential part of owning your four-legged companion.
The following is what you need to keep in mind when dog training:
What should I teach my dog? – There really is no limit to what you can teach your dog. However, most owners tend to ensure that the basic commands are covered which include:
Obedience school – Almost all dogs, except for maybe those that can fit into a purse, should be enrolled in obedience school. This is an especially good idea for first time owners. A qualified dog trainer can help you effectively train your dog and instruct you on how to be a confident teacher.
Teach your dog his place - Training a dog is not cruel. A dog needs to know his place in your pack. If you don’t teach your dog that you are the leader, he will not treat you with respect and will try to overthrow your authority. If you ever hope for your dog to listen to you, he must know you are in control and come first. For instance, you should:
- Never feed your dog from the table – Your dog should be fed from his own dish after you and your family have eaten.
- Never let your dog walk ahead of you - You should always walk ahead of your dog when walking through doors, etc.
This is called dominance training and is something every dog requires to become a credit to his breed.
Dogs get bored – Dogs, especially puppies, have very short attention spans. Therefore, don’t plan long 30 minute training sessions and expect your dog to be a patient learner.
- Keep it short – stick to 10 minute training sessions with breaks in between
- Keep it fun – Play with your dog and use your imagination to keep training interesting.
- Limit distractions – Dogs are easily distracted by sights, sounds and smells. When in the beginning stages of training, make sure you choose a quiet room that only includes you and your dog.
Patience and Persistence is key – You need to be patient with your dog when training him and take it slow. Don’t try to teach too much to your dog at once. Wait until he’s fully understood one lesson before moving on to the next. Also, don’t let your dog trick you into playing more than teaching during training time. Be persistent and show your dog that he’s going to learn no matter what he tries to pull.
Praise is important – When your dog successfully performs a command, praise him EVERY time. Your dog loves the attention and wants to make you happy. Of course, you don’t have to act like you’ve won the lottery each time your dog sits for you, but you should let him know how much you approve of his behavior, just as you let him know how much you are displeased with him when he misbehaves.
Don’t reprimand what you didn’t see – If you didn’t catch your dog in the act of doing something you didn’t like - even if you know he’s behind the destruction of your favorite pair of shoes - do not discipline him for it. He will not understand why you are mad at him.
Training is for life – One human year equals seven dog years. Therefore, your dog is constantly changing and growing, which means your lessons must be constantly taught to make sure your dog is familiar with his training throughout every stage of his life.
