The Do’s and Don’ts of Dog Training

8 Pillars For Success

Posted on by cosmodoggyland in Behaviour & Training, Parenting

If you are looking to train your dog, knowing how to effectively teach them the difference between desired and undesired behaviors is essential.

It goes without saying that training a dog requires a lot of patience. Like with any learning process, it doesn’t happen overnight and every dog learns at a different speed.

A good way to ensure a successful training is to approach it from the perspective of “positive reinforcement”.

This means that you should reward your dog with praise, a treat, or both, for any positive behavior they exhibit. By employing this method, you encourage your dog to associate desired behaviors with rewards, ultimately learning to behave as taught.

While learning what to do is important, knowing what not to do is also key to maximize results. Your dog loves you and for that reason he will make an effort to learn everything you teach him in order to feel your love and appreciation. The key to success is for your dog to clearly distinguish what actions lead to your affection at each step of the process. To help guide you and avoid common problems that slow down the training progress we’ve compiled the following list of tips.

Turn your love for animals into a rewarding career!

Enroll in an online course

8 Pillars For Success

Trust: Dogs should always feel safe with their master that is why a “positive reinforcement” approach allow dogs to learn in a loving environment which leads to great and long-lasting results.

Teaching Your Dog Good Manners
Comfort: Make sure you don’t sneak up on, chase, grab from the rear or reach for your dog quickly and avoid touching their highly sensitive ears or paws too much, even if you are playing with or praising him. These actions can startle your dog and make them nervous or anxious which doesn’t help the learning process.
Consistency: Effective training is based on consistency. When praising your dog for acting in a certain way, you have to make sure to remain consistent and to never to discourage him when he does a similar act. It’s important to not confuse your dog in order to clearly and positively draw a line between actions that are allowed and those that are not.
Constancy: Try to avoid having many people give commands to your dog. The training process will be more efficient when you manage to generate a relationship of trust and affection with your pet. Your dog will learn everything you teach him if that assures him of your direct affection and lets him know that he will always be fed, cared for and treated with kindness. If you manage to clearly and affectionately show him what behaviour you value, you’ll have guaranteed success.

5 Factors That Can Make Your Dog Anxious
Balance: Give your dog sufficient time to rest or play when you work with them. Constantly giving orders to your dog or training them immediately or soon after they have eaten can have a negative effect on their learning process. Introducing a five-minute rest for every fifteen minutes of training can allow for better results and a more enjoyable experience.
Patience: Remember that puppies younger than six months are full of energy and playfulness, so it takes extra care and patience to train them. However, they are quick learners and will deliver great results and make you proud of your dog training skills.
Adaptability: Make sure the tasks you give your dog match his developmental level. It is not recommended that you not train puppies younger than six months in feats requiring much strength or endurance, as their bodies are still growing and developing. Basic canine education and introduction to canine agility are ideal for your pup’s first year as they will allow him to channel all that extra energy positively rather than use it toward destructive behaviour.

How To Find The Best Trainer For Your Dog
Perseverance: Don’t expect your dog to be fully trained after a few weeks of training. It may take four months to a year, however the outcome is certainly worth the effort. Plus, once you have successfully taught him good manners, you can continue his education with different programs ranging from dog shows, sports competitions, therapy dog training and many other specializations. Just like humans, dogs are curious and intelligent creatures who can be lifelong learners, so in reality, the training and bonding never ends!

The Impact of Animal-Assisted Therapy And Activities

Training your dog can be an enriching experience that strengthens your bond and creates long-lasting memories. So, make sure to embrace it as a learning opportunity and have lots of fun along the way!

To help you get started, explore the courses in our Academy.