Even if it only means learning a few commands, obedience training is one of the best things that you can do for your dog — and yourself. Training your dog will result in a more confident pup and make living together more enjoyable.
Training takes time and hard work for both of you, and what better time to take on this task than National Train Your Dog Month? Follow some of these helpful tips to make your training run more smoothly and, hopefully, with fewer stressful moments.
Tips for Easier Training
Don’t extend the training
Training sessions should be regular, but you don’t want to overwhelm your hound. Dogs have fairly short attention spans, so keep it snappy and fun. After a few sessions, you’ll be able to see how long your dog can train before they are bored — and you’ll have a dog who’s eager to train because it’s fun to do.
Be patient
It’s all about positive reinforcement. Dogs want to make you happy, and they’ll start hating training sessions if you get frustrated every time. Make sure your pup loves learning by staying positive and rewarding with treats or kibble.
Baby steps
Just like you don’t learn algebra before you can add and subtract, dogs need to be taught new commands over time. Increase the difficulty over several weeks — they need to learn to sit before they can sit and stay.
Keep your commands simple
Dogs aren’t fluent in English (or any human language), so keep your commands simple and consistent. If you switch from “sit” to “sit down over there,” your pup might not know what you’re talking about.
Having Problems? Call an Expert!
Obedience training is a great way to handle pesky behavioral issues that you may be experiencing with your dog. But sometimes, taking on the training yourself is too much to handle. Don’t be afraid to call in an expert. Check around your area or with your veterinarian to find group or private training classes.
Time to Start Training
Try to make training a regular part of your daily schedule and see what great things you and your dog can achieve. And share your tips and success stories with us on Facebook!
