· By Minou Tpain
Training should begin the moment you welcome your new dog into your home, regardless of his age.
Despite the popular saying, an old dog can learn new tricks. But, when it comes to dog training, if you have a young puppy on your paws, it’s better to teach him what to do now versus waiting until he’s picked up bad habits that you’ll have to correct later.
From crate and potty training to basic commands, the only way your pup is going to learn what’s acceptable in your home is if you carve out time each day to work with him.Running Training Sessions Too Long
Instead of one long training session, you’re better off breaking it up into multiple sessions throughout the day. Puppies have short attention spans and working on the same commands can get boring. Each time you work with your pup, cap training sessions at 10 to 15 minutes.
If at any point you notice you or your dog getting frustrated, call out one last simple command (a slam dunk to end on a high note) and then move on to something else.
When it comes to dog training, consistency is key. Inconsistencies simply lead to a confused dog and frustrated pet parent. For example, if you usually tell your dog Down when he’s jumping on a guest but suddenly tell him to Get Off then he isn’t going to understand what you want. Make sure everyone in your household is on the same page when it comes to training rules and cue wording.
When you first begin command training, it’s best to take your pup into a quiet, distraction-free room. But, once your pup has mastered a particular cue in that space, your work isn’t over. Rather, that’s just Step 1. Next, it’s important to work on that same cue in different rooms of your house, your backyard, and, eventually, in public places. The goal is to slowly increase the distraction level and get your pup to listen no matter what’s happening around him.
If at any point you notice you or your dog getting frustrated, call out one last simple command (a slam dunk to end on a high note) and then move on to something else.
When you first welcome a new puppy into your home and begin training sessions, treats quickly become your best friend. You use them to lure and reward. But, just because your pup is getting a yummy prize, doesn’t mean you should skip the verbal praise and petting. A sweet-sounding “good girl” or “good boy” goes a long way with dogs since they love pleasing their humans. Plus, once your dog has mastered a certain command, you’ll phase out the treat and rely solely on praise.
If at any point you notice you or your dog getting frustrated, call out one last simple command (a slam dunk to end on a high note) and then move on to something else.
Just like people, dogs have their own unique personalities. When it comes to training, some will learn quicker than others. It’s important to remain patient and calm.
If at any point you notice you or your dog getting frustrated, call out one last simple command (a slam dunk to end on a high note) and then move on to something else.
