Teaching dog basic commands can be time consuming and frustrating, but can be done successfully. If you are having trouble, consider purchasing a dog training book or subscription to an online dog training newsletter. There are also many helpful dog training tips available on the Internet. Before diving in, follow these simple guidelines to speed up the process:
Be patient and positive. Find quiet, peaceful areas for your first few training sessions. Transition to areas with some distraction where your dog can focus on you.
Consider buying a dog basic commands guide. They contain tips for a variety of situations. Some tips focus on basic training essentials like sitting and staying. Others provide hints and tips for building motivation.
Read dog training tips articles. Focus on the most important tips and use them as a basis for your own training efforts. The most important thing to remember when teaching your pet four-legged friends is consistency. The tips provided are for general, everyday training sessions, not long-term training. Your furry friend needs some time to adjust to a new way of doing things.
Encourage your pup to follow your lead. Always make sure you give them a treat when they obey. Don’t give your dog a treat if they do something that you don’t want them to do. That is what makes them naughty. But a treat when they do something you approve of, they will be motivated to practice good behavior.
When you take your dog for a walk, begin with the basic commands first. You can work up to more complicated commands as your pooch grows in size and temperament. You can use treats or toys, but remember to always reward good behavior first. Once your dog learns the sit command, then you can add other commands that you think your dog may need to learn.
If you decide to teach your dog some more complex commands at a later time, always be consistent. Never mix up the order of your commands or use different words for the same action. Always give your pup a treat when they obey a basic command and a reward when they misbehave. Eventually your pup will know what to expect from you when it comes to using its head pats, sitting and stay.
When treats are not enough to motivate your dog, try using a toy or a favorite toy as a motivator. Your pup may hate the toy, but your hands and maybe your dog will love the toy. Every time your dog uses the reward you gave him, make sure you give him a treat. It may take several days or even weeks, but eventually your pup will respond to your voice when you say treat. This will help your dog to understand what you want, when you want it, and when you expect something in return. In the meantime, you will be rewarded with lots of love and cuddles!
To reinforce positive training techniques, you can use a clicker. Clicker training has been proven to be an effective tool in teaching dog obedience. The clicker produces a high pitched sound that is associated with a treat. Once your canine friend has used the clicker to understand and follow your commands, he will receive a treat whenever he complies.
For puppy training, it may take several months before you can get your dog to sit, lie down, walk on a leash and so on. However, this is also the time that you should use the clicker training method to reward your pup whenever he obeys your commands. After all, the clicker makes a soft ‘thump’ noise when it makes contact with the dog’s nose, thus reinforcing positive training. Your four-legged friend will soon learn to anticipate your commands and do them as you would like him to.
To teach dog head pats, the same method can be used for leash training and other tricks. You should start by having your canine friend to lie down next to you while giving him a treat. As he begins to stand obediently, you can begin to give treats until he obeys your command.
You can also teach dog commands at a time when your pet is particularly tired and frustrated. You can do this by sitting down in front of a comfortable chair. With your pup on your lap, say sit, and give your dog a treat. If he responds correctly to the command, you can continue with the exercise.
