Dog Training Tips 2

More Dog Training Tips

  1. Have a plan of what you want to train before you begin. This will allow you to have more productive and efficient training sessions. You will have a better understanding of how to perform each new behavior, and know exactly what to do if the dog doesn’t complete each step as intended.
  2. Practice with rewards on you and away from you. The key to effective positive training is variety and spontaneity. When your dog is doing well during your actual training sessions, try testing how well he really knows the cues you’ve taught him by springing a “pop-quiz” on him.

    Don’t have any rewards on you or visible anywhere in the room, then try to test his knowledge. This will really tell you how well he knows what you’ve taught him. If he gets stuck, go back to an easier step and then retest him immediately. These “pop-quizzes” or “cold sessions” will really help your dog learn to be fluent in all obedience cues.

  3. Practice in “real” situations. Integrate the training you’ve done into real everyday situations. If you’re having a problem with your dog jumping on counters as you prepare food, and he knows how to “Sit” or “Lie Down” on cue, ask him to perform either one during these times.

    See how long you can get him to remain in those positions before you need to reward him with a tasty treat. You may have to reward often in the beginning; however, after a couple of real training sessions, you will be able to make him wait longer and longer before he gets his treats. Start with short intervals and slowly work yourself up.

  4. Say each cue once. Try to get your dog to perform each cue by saying it only once. If you repeat each cue multiple times before the dog actually listens to you, he is learning to ignore the first few cues and only listen to the 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc… times you say it. Practice each cue by progressing slowly.

    Your dog may not be listening to you mostly because he is either distracted or because he just may not know the cue as well as you think he does. Dogs don’t generalize well. If he performs the cue well in the kitchen but doesn’t do it well outside, you may need to practice the cue outside as if you were initially teaching it to him.

    Go back to some easier steps and then work your way up. Increase distractions gradually. With each distraction you may need to again, go back to easier step and then work your way up. Keep practicing, he’ll get it!

    These next two were included in the first training tips article; however they are very important and bear repeating. Have them committed to memory.

  5. Always take the time to reward good behavior. Show your dog how much you like it when he is behaving nicely, such as lying down and/or playing calmly with a nice chew toy. Take the time to point out when he is being good and give him lot of praise and petting when he does the right thing all on his own.
  6. Don’t reward bad behavior. Dogs do what works. If they know, for example, that barking for a cookie or performing some other form of inappropriate behavior always results in them getting some type of reward, they’ll keep doing it. Don’t give in to attention-seeking behavior. Try to figure out what the dog’s purpose is in doing the inappropriate behavior and take steps to stop it.

Most Importantly… Have Fun!!!