We all receive dog training advice from friends, family members, neighbors and even the internet.
Our advice is to ignore the majority of it. It is all well intentioned, but receiving input from so many sources
on how to train your dog will put you in a position where you are not showing consistency and will only
serve to confuse you and your dog.
Our advice is to ignore the majority of it. It is all well intentioned, but receiving input from so many sources
on how to train your dog will put you in a position where you are not showing consistency and will only
serve to confuse you and your dog.
Dog Training Tips
Only train your dog on one thing at a time. Bouncing around can confuse your dog and slow your
progress.
progress.
Keep your dog training sessions short. We recommend working with your dog two to three times per day for no more than five minutes each time. Experiencing negative results during a dog training session
because your have lost your dog's attention is common and can prove to be counter-productive.
because your have lost your dog's attention is common and can prove to be counter-productive.
Make sure your expectations are realistic and show patience. Repetiton and consistency are key. See
our chart on Working Intelligence of Dogs to understand how many repetitions a specific breed should
require to learn a new command and how often you should expect them to perform that action on
command.
our chart on Working Intelligence of Dogs to understand how many repetitions a specific breed should
require to learn a new command and how often you should expect them to perform that action on
command.
Don't become dependant on any gimmicky devices such as clickers for dog obedience training
or squirt bottles for dog correction training. A clicker is used as a marker to teach the dog that
they have been successful and that a reward is on the way. You can use a verbal marker instead
so that you don't have to find your device to perform
your dog training.
or squirt bottles for dog correction training. A clicker is used as a marker to teach the dog that
they have been successful and that a reward is on the way. You can use a verbal marker instead
so that you don't have to find your device to perform
your dog training.
Use play, when possible, while you are working
your dog training sessions.
your dog training sessions.
Most dog training command words should only
be said once. You do not want to become that
owner that we all know who has to say sit
over and over and they still aren't sure that
their dog is going to respond.
be said once. You do not want to become that
owner that we all know who has to say sit
over and over and they still aren't sure that
their dog is going to respond.
When using the command words, don't shout.
When you shout at your dog, you become just
another barking dog in their eyes. You should
be able to give all obedience commands to
your dog in a normal voice.
When you shout at your dog, you become just
another barking dog in their eyes. You should
be able to give all obedience commands to
your dog in a normal voice.
Your dog reads your body language much better than
a human does. If your dog is going to enjoy learning,
you need to be calm and assertive during dog
training sessions and when you address them with
dog correction commands. Use your energy and
stature to help communicate with your dog.
a human does. If your dog is going to enjoy learning,
you need to be calm and assertive during dog
training sessions and when you address them with
dog correction commands. Use your energy and
stature to help communicate with your dog.
Pay attention to your dog during dog training sessions.
If they are showing fear, stress or nervousness, stop
what you are doing and re-evaluate your methods. A
quality relationship between you and your dog is
dependant on mutual trust and respect, not fear.
If they are showing fear, stress or nervousness, stop
what you are doing and re-evaluate your methods. A
quality relationship between you and your dog is
dependant on mutual trust and respect, not fear.
Every walk that you take with your dog can be a training exercise. Your dog should be taught to focus on
you during the walk. A walk should be at a good pace and should be interesting for your dog. Keep your
rules simple - your dog should be at your side, paying attention to you and not pulling on the leash.
you during the walk. A walk should be at a good pace and should be interesting for your dog. Keep your
rules simple - your dog should be at your side, paying attention to you and not pulling on the leash.
