Dog Training – 7 Secrets to Training Your Dog

Is your dog well-behaved? Does he come when you call? Does he stay when you tell him to? Does he look at you when you talk to him?

Recently, I called to make a reservation at a hotel which advertises “pets welcome.” After the agent was reading me the pet policy, I assured him that my golden retriever was an “older dog and very well-behaved.” But then I added, “But you probably hear that from everyone.”

We all think our dogs are well-behaved. And, many of them are. But you’ve seen the ones that could use a little more training.

Here are 7 basic techniques to consider when you are training your dog.

Bonding. Spending quality time with your dog creates a bond between the two of you. You must build a relationship with him by talking to him, talking walks, and playing. Consistency. You must deliver specific, consistent messages to your dog. The commands you use to train, praise, and discipline him must be the same every time. When you first start training him, he should have only one trainer. Different people have different voice tone and body language, and this could confuse him and take longer for him to learn. After he learns the commands, then other family members should be taught how to deliver the commands to be consistent with your teachings. Repetition. Dogs learn by repetition. Be patient – it may take numerous training sessions for your dog to learn the task and to respond automatically. Praise. Always praise you dog when he responds correctly. You should give him praise immediately when he performs the desired task. Look directly into his eyes so that he makes the connection with your voice and touch. Praise him quickly by patting or rubbing him on the head. You can use treats as a reward, but alternate it with displays of affection so that he doesn’t expect a treat every time Session length. Keep the training sessions short and fun. Focus on quality not quantity of time. You both should look forward to his training sessions. Voice and hand signals. Calling his name before you give him a command gets his attention. Sometimes a specific hand motion can be associated with a voice command. This can be useful if you want your dog to respond from a long distance. Eventually, you may be able to use just the hand signal. Correction. For general corrective behaviors, you can use something to alarm your dog, such as a water pistol or a hand clap (or other sound). At the same time, say a loud “No!” or make an unusual, different sound with your voice such as “Ahhh!” Then redirect him with a command that may be easy for him, such as “Sit” or “Stay.”

Most dogs want to please their owners. We must remember to practice patience, understanding, and love. If you practice these 3 things, you will be a success in training your dog.

By: Jenny Stinson

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