Dog obedience training is an essential aspect of responsible dog ownership which explains the growing demand for trusted puppy training. Not only does it establish safety and good behaviour, but it also enhances the overall mental wellbeing of your canine companion.
Training, in essence, is a mode of communication, allowing you to converse effectively with your pet, instructing them on what behaviours are acceptable and which ones are not.
Basic Principles of Dog Obedience Training
The foundation of dog obedience training lies in the understanding of a few basic principles:
- Consistency: Training must be consistent in terms of commands and expectations. This means using the same words, gestures, and rules for each action or behaviour.
- Simplicity: Dogs understand simple, one or two-word commands better than long sentences. ‘Sit’, ‘Stay’, ‘Come’ are all examples of clear and concise commands.
- Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding a dog when it does something right encourages repetition of the behaviour. This could be in the form of praise, a treat, or a toy.
- Patience: Training doesn’t happen overnight. It requires time and patience, acknowledging that every dog learns at a different pace.
- Timing: Rewards or corrections must occur immediately after the behaviour to be effective, as dogs have a limited capacity to connect past actions with consequences or rewards.
Basic Commands to Teach to Your Dog
Command 1: Sit
The ‘Sit’ command is the fundamental command in dog training. It helps calm an overly excited dog, control a situation, or prepare the dog for other commands.
Training: Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose and slowly lift your hand upwards. As the dog’s head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally go down. Once they sit, say ‘Sit’, give the treat, and praise them. Repeat this sequence until your dog has mastered the command.
Common Mistakes: Avoid repeating the command if your dog does not respond initially. Also, refrain from pushing your dog’s bottom down, as some dogs dislike being forced into position.
Usage: Use ‘Sit’ when you need your dog to be calm, such as during meal times or when guests arrive.
Command 2: Stay
The ‘Stay’ command is vital for controlling your dog in potentially dangerous situations and when you need them to be still.
Training: Ask your dog to ‘Sit’, then open your palm in front of you and say ‘Stay’. Take a few steps back and if your dog stays, give a reward and praise. Gradually increase the distance and duration over multiple repetitions of the command.
Common Mistakes: Don’t move too far away too quickly. Build distance and duration gradually to avoid overwhelming your dog. It may take multiple attempts to make progress, and oftentimes multiple sessions before a dog will reliably stay in place while their owner is out of sight.
Usage: Use ‘Stay’ to prevent your dog from running into traffic, approaching unfamiliar dogs, or jumping on people.
Command 3: Come
The ‘Come’ command ensures your dog returns to you when called, crucial for their safety, especially in outdoor environments.
Training: Start this command on a leash. Crouch to your dog’s level, look them in the eyes, and say ‘Come’ in an enthusiastic tone while gently pulling the leash towards you. When they come to you, reward and praise them genuinely.
Common Mistakes: Never use the ‘Come’ command to reprimand your dog, as they may associate it with negative consequences and be reluctant to obey in the future.
Usage: Use ‘Come’ to call your dog back to you in parks, in case of potential dangers, or if they escape through the front door.
Command 4: Leave it
‘Leave it’ prevents dogs from picking up potentially harmful items off the ground or focusing too much on distractions.
Training: Hold a treat in both hands. Show one hand to your dog and say ‘Leave it’. Ignore the attempts your dog makes to get the treat. Once they stop trying and pull away, say ‘Good leave it’, and reward them with the treat from the other hand.
Common Mistakes: Avoid pulling your hand away when your dog tries to get the treat. They need to learn to make the decision to leave it themselves.
Usage: Use ‘Leave it’ when your dog tries to pick up something off the ground or shows problematic interest in another dog or person during walks.
The ability to follow these four crucial commands can make a significant difference in your dog’s safety in unfamiliar situations. Regular, short practice sessions in varied conditions will help reinforce these commands, ensuring that your dog will be able to execute them at a moment’s notice.
Trick Training for Dogs
Trick training moves beyond obedience training, providing mental stimulation and offering a fun way to spend time with your pet. While obedience training focuses on basic commands for safety and good behaviour, trick training involves teaching your dog to perform specific actions on cue, such as ‘shake hands’, ‘play dead’, or ‘roll over’.
To teach ‘shake hands’, for example, command your dog to ‘sit’. Then, with a treat in one hand, tap the back of their paw. Most dogs will lift their paw in response. When they do, say ‘shake’, give them the treat, and show affection.
The Role of Rewards and Positive Reinforcement
Rewards, praise, and positive reinforcement are the cornerstones of successful dog training. Positive reinforcement makes the dog more likely to repeat the good behaviour. The trick is to recognize the behaviour and reward your dog immediately.
Overcoming Training Challenges
Training can present challenges like distractions, lack of focus, or stubbornness. Start training in a quiet, familiar place with few distractions. As your dog’s focus improves, gradually increase the level of distraction. Patience, persistence, and understanding are key to overcoming these hurdles.
Conclusion
Remember, consistency and patience are your greatest allies in this process. Learning is continuous, and so is training. Continue to build on basic obedience skills over time, and don’t forget to reward and reinforce positive behaviour. With time and practice, your dog will be a well-trained companion who’s both happy and safe.
