Although there are some dogs that are more difficult to train and some types of training that require more time and dedication, overall there is no reason that teaching a dog to obey commands has to be difficult.
With the tips for dog training successfully in this article, you should have no problem getting your dog to learn the things being taught. Keep in mind that puppies are generally much easier to train simply because they are younger, they absorb information easier, and they are more willing to change but even older dogs can be taught to follow commands as long as the process is done right.
Building a Solid Foundation
Any expert would tell you that one of the most important tips for dog training successfully is to create a foundation on which to build and grow. This foundation has to be the basis for everything involved in training and one comprised of love, affection, and respect between you and the dog but also a foundation on which you become the “leader of the pack.”
Because dogs are naturally pack animals in the wild, from a very young age puppies will try to take the lead of being “boss.” Therefore, as a part of building a solid foundation you have to help your puppy understand his role with you being the established leader.
Lifelong Habits
Another one of the important tips for dog training successfully is to choose commands and even tricks wisely. Remember, your puppy is going to remember the things being taught for life so if training were done wrong or bad commands taught you would end up with issues throughout the life of your pet.
The same is true for playtime in that you want to play with your dog in a way that would be positive for life but also to support whatever type of training you plan to take your puppy through.
A prime example would be rough housing or choosing games that challenge dominance such as “tug of war”. In this case, the potential for problems would be great since playing with a puppy too rough or in a matter that creates a challenge for leadership between the two of you could carry into training.
Therefore, choose the way in which you play with your puppy in accordance with training so ultimately, he grasps commands quickly and retains positive lessons for life, even when playing.
Create Positive Experiences
For years, trainers and pet owners would do things as a part of training that were downright disrespectful and degrading to a dog while thinking these things were somehow helpful.
For instance, when a puppy would have an accident in the house, his nose would be rubbed in the urine, followed by being swatted, and told “NO” in a loud, dominating voice. Multitude studies have been conducted that show these inhumane methods of training are actually detrimental to the process and do nothing to build the foundation between owner and pet.
Although all of these tips for dog training are important, probably one of the most critical is rather then do something demoralizing, use positive reinforcement. For this, there are a number of methods that works amazingly well but the one that has become the favorite of top-rated trainers around the country is clicker training.
In fact, by making the training process positive and enjoyable, your puppy would actually work even harder to learn as a means of pleasing you.
Training According to Capability
We also wanted to add this to our list of tips for dog training successfully in that all too often people expect puppies to accomplish feats well beyond capability. In saying this, there is nothing wrong in challenging your puppy as a part of training but to a degree.
In fact, some challenge is good in that it stimulates the mind and physical ability. However, if puppies were pushed and expected to obey a command when not ready, this would cause a lot of frustration on your part and confusion for your dog.
This is why top trainers strongly recommend you start with basic commands first but even with this only one command should be taught at a time. Once your puppy masters the first command, you would move on to the next.
The best command to start with would be “sit” because most puppies have the capability of learning this simple command quickly. Next, it would be recommended to teach the “lie down” or “down” command since it is a natural progression physically from “sit”.
As a part of information pertaining to tips for dog training successfully, remember that if you get to a specific command and find your puppy having a hard time grasping the concept or not having the ability to focus, you would likely get better results by waiting a few weeks and then trying again. Just always make sure training of any kind and at any level is conducted in a quiet location void of any distractions.
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