Top 12 Dog Training Tips
March 25, 2013
original post:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/top-12-dog-training-tips.html
Contrary to what you may have heard, you absolutely
can
teach an old dog new tricks. Training is an excellent way to bond with
your furry friend, and encourages overall better behavior. From new
puppies trying to understand “sit” to adult dogs going for certification
in canine therapy, dogs always have room to learn and grow.
Here are 12 tips to help you get started:
1. Invest in puppy classes. If you have a younger
dog, don’t underestimate the benefits of group puppy classes. Your
little one will learn important socialization skills right along with
the basic commands, and it’s a great foundation for further training you
want to do at home.
2. Take your dog on car rides. Going on a quick
errand to the ATM or Starbucks drive-thru? Let Fido hop in the car and
ride along. You can practice “stay” with your dog getting in and out of
the car, and the only treat you need to bring is a rolled down window
and a breeze. Do remember that you should
never leave your dog (or any pet) alone in the car, no matter the weather.
3. Train positively. Respected dog trainer
Victoria Stilwell
is renowned for her approach to training, which preaches rewards and
praise over dominance and submission. “Positive, humane reinforcement
methods are much safer and effective in the long run,” she told TAILS in
an October interview. [Click
here to read the rest of the interview].
4. Use distractions. Practice commands like “sit,”
stay,” and “come” in situations where your dog is forced to ignore
outside influences and focus on your voice and instructions—this will
make her a better listener for when it really counts. So turn on the TV,
play some music, or have the kids run around, and work on your basic
commands.
5. Get outside. The outdoors is chockfull of
distractions. Take advantage of this and work on training exercises in
your backyard, at the park, or, if you’re feeling brave, at the dog
park.
6. Practice, practice, practice. Dogs learn through
repetitive conditioning, so it’s crucial that you reinforce commands and
practice often. Stay consistent in your training and you’ll teach
long-term habits.
7. Don’t expect perfection all the time. To change
an animal’s habits, it’s helpful to see the world from their point of
view. Don’t expect your dog to read your mind or to be perfect; have
realistic expectations and understand that she may not always get what
is expected of her (or, that sometimes, she may just be a little
mischievous—that’s okay, too).
8. Keep your dog busy. You know what they say: A
tired dog is a good dog! Make sure your canine companion gets plenty of
physical and mental stimulation, and he’ll be much easier to handle when
it comes time to train. Training itself is a great mental exercise for
dogs, which is even more reason to keep it up.
9. Get social. The sooner you socialize your dog and
get her comfortable around other dogs, the better. Regular doggie play
dates, walks around dog-friendly neighborhoods, and trips to the groomer
are great opportunities to encourage your furry loved one to interact
well with others.
10. Choose healthy treats. It’s easy to get
overzealous with the treats during training. Though it’s great to reward
your dog for good behavior, it’s important that you don’t overfeed in
the process. Ditch the peanut butter biscuits and try little bits of raw
carrot instead, or shred up some freshly cooked chicken meat. If you’re
using commercial treats, divide each one up into smaller portions.
11. Give lots and lots of love. For your dog, there
are few rewards greater than your love and affection. Let him know what a
good boy he is—during training and at other times too—by sharing plenty
of praise, cuddles, and kisses.
12. Say what you mean. “No” is a useful for word for
your dog to know, but it doesn’t always solve a problem. So instead of
saying “no” when she picks up a piece of food from the floor that she
isn’t supposed to have, say “drop it” and directly instruct her on what
she is to do. Just saying “no” can be confusing to her; telling her
exactly what you want is more clear.
