Did you recently have your adorable young pup or rescue dog and are new to pet parenthood? You must understand that training is a crucial part of pet ownership. Training strengthens the human-animal bond and provides psychological stimulation and confidence to canines. Canine training includes many more surprising benefits. But before you begin training your dog, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of doing it to make your sessions less demanding and more productive.
Dog Training Basics
Training a dog or young pup may be frustrating and challenging. However, you must overcome this to improve your pet’s safety and ensure they develop good behavior. Below are five effective dog training methods you need to know to maintain smooth-sailing training sessions and keep problems to a minimum.
1. Allot an area for training sessions
Choose a spot in your home or backyard that your dog can associate with training time. It should be a safe, distraction-free zone and a dog-proofed area with sufficient space for your pet to move freely.
2. Train them to come upon your command
” Come” should be one of the first basic commands your furry buddy needs to master. Always call them by their name when saying the command, then follow it with positive reinforcement techniques such as a delicious treat or praise. When your pet grows and continues to learn, try getting them to come in scenarios where their focus is elsewhere. Train them to respond even if something more interesting than you have their attention.
Want to have some fun with your four-legged friend? Try engaging your canine with agility training. Not only will they enjoy the fast-paced course, but they’ll also benefit from exercising and burning off some energy.
3. Be consistent
Consistency in dog training is essential. This includes regularly using the same word, intonations, and skills they’re good at. It’s also necessary for your family to know that your dog is being trained. Canines need consistency when learning new habits, so if you never let your pet on your bed or couch, but your partner does, your pet will only get confused.
One way to prevent this is by taking training courses that test your dog’s obedience. Your pet will learn proper behavior, and you’ll be comfortable taking them anywhere without feeling embarrassed about their attitude.
4. Maintain short sessions
Most dogs do not have a long attention span, so keeping training sessions short is ideal. Maintain a 15-20 minute training session where your furry buddy can learn single or multiple skills. Try teaching a skill in repetitions before shifting to another set. The short sessions can mix old and new skills you’ve already taught your dog.
Make sure to end the sessions well by making your pet do the tricks they’re proficient at. Need help knowing where and how to start training your dog? You may try a dog training program to see how it’s done correctly and professionally.
5. Reward them with treats, praise, or affection
Rewarding good behavior with positive reinforcement is vital to get your fur buddy to behave well during training. Whether it’s a treat, toy, pat on their head, scratch in their favorite spot, or belly rubs, your pet will greatly appreciate being awarded when they do the trick right.
