Steph’s Cheers and Jeers/ Stephy The Spoonie Witch received an editoral fee to host this article on our blog.
Owning a dog is one of the best journeys a person can go on. You’ll never have a better friend, and the memories you’ll make together will be like no other.
You’ll have to work for that special relationship, though. A dog is a lot of responsibility, and you’ll need to be smart about how you introduce them into your life.
One of the most important elements is training, and it’s something a lot of people struggle with. If you’re dealing with a stubborn pet and you’re not sure where to turn, this article has you covered with a quick primer on how to build a strong foundation.
Learning Your Dog’s Behaviours
Every dog is different, and in order to train your pet effectively, you’ll need to gain a good grasp of who they are. Each breed has a unique temperament, and there are many idiosyncrasies you’ll discover beyond that, each of which informs you of how best to approach training.
Understanding what makes them happy, sad, scared, or excited will guide you towards the ideal positive reinforcers to use and help you avoid frightening your dog unnecessarily (which can create a negative association with training).
Consistency is Key
Just like with humans, learning something new and difficult takes not only practice, but consistent practice. Dogs love routine, so when considering your training strategy, it’s always a good idea to start sessions at the same time or on the same day.
You’ll also need to employ consistency with the sorts of skills you’re teaching. For example, each word should correlate to one command only – you don’t want to confuse your dog by using three different words when you want them to sit.
Always Use Positive Reinforcement
The best way to train your dog to do something, be it basic tricks or going to the toilet outside, is to use positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement can come in many different forms, from verbal praise and strokes to giving them a treat. These rewards help your dog to understand that what they’re doing is good, and they prevent them from getting bored during sessions.
On the topic of getting bored, it’s better to do a couple of short training sessions per day than one long one. Young dogs don’t have a great attention span, so keep training between 10-15 minutes.
Seek Professional Help If Required
Despite your best efforts, some dogs are just extremely stubborn, and training them takes more effort than you can manage. This has nothing to do with you or your training style, so don’t feel disheartened.
If you’re struggling, it can help to seek professional help via a dedicated dog trainer. Take All Dogs Unleashed dog training, for example. They provide both at-home and boarding services, and are able to teach your dog the full repertoire of skills and healthy behaviors they need to flourish.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you’re now a little clearer about what it takes to train your dog. While it won’t necessarily be easy, you can guarantee it’ll be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.
Proper training sets up the foundation for a healthy relationship with your pet, and when all’s said and done, you’ll be very glad you made the effort. Good luck!
Discover more from Steph's Cheers and Jeers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.