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If you recently adopted a puppy or even an older dog at the shelter, there could be a good chance it doesn’t do everything you want it to. As any dog owner will tell you, training a dog can be done, but it’s going to take a lot of work. Whether you want to do it on your own or hire a professional, let’s take a look at some techniques that work and some that don’t work at all.
Dog training techniques that work:
- Rewards – When a dog knows that it will be rewarded after doing a certain command, it always looks forward to doing it. As a result, it is helpful to teach a dog that after doing what it is being taught, it will be rewarded. Some of the most effective rewards include giving the dog its favorite food or toy.
- Using a clicker – The clicker</a> is similar to the reward point mentioned above. With this clicker, you will simply click it each time the dog performs the command properly. Along with this clicking noise, you will offer a treat as a reward; this way, whenever the dog hears the clicking noise, he or she will expect the treat as well.
- Talking – By just talking to a dog, it is possible to train it effectively. Simply, all you need to do is talk to the dog nicely while it does a good thing and talk to it harshly when it does not do the right thing. However, you shouldn’t be too harsh because this can affect the dog negatively. Keep in mind that some experts refrain from this method and highly recommend the clicker method mentioned above.
- Be specific – When your dog does something wrong, such as jumping on someone walking in the door, you don’t want to just say “no.” If you tug on your dog’s collar and say no, the dog will often be confused not knowing what you want. Instead, be specific with your commands. Instead of saying no, tell the dog what you want it to do such as “sit” or “lay down.”
- Be consistent – Taking the example from point four, if your dog continues to jump on guests, be consistent with your demands. If you only discipline the dog sometimes, it may feel as if it can jump on people sometimes. Being consistent with any training will be your key to success.
Dog training techniques that do not work
- Bribery – Some people bribe their dogs with food or other things so that the dogs can learn certain commands. This is different from rewarding because the bribes are given before it does what it is being taught. By bribing a dog, the dog might lose interest in what it is being taught because it already got what it wanted.
- Using force – When a dog is forced to do something, it usually becomes afraid of doing that particular command. This force can include tugging the leash too hard, spanking it or yelling. Unfortunately, this can hinder proper training because the dog will not want to do what it is being taught.
- Rushing the training – Dogs take the time to learn new things, especially it is sophisticated. As a result, it is always important to give a dog time to learn the new command it is being taught. Rushing the training and expecting the dog to learn the new command within minutes will not work. If you feel you don’t have the time to train your dog, consider investing in a dog trainer.
- Denying the dog its freedom – When a dog does not get the freedom it needs, it becomes harder to train. Make sure that you allow the dog to roam freely and play as it chooses. You wouldn’t want to train all day and have no free time, would you? Make sure you balance it all out.
- Teaching many things at the same time – When a dog is taught many commands at the same time, it might be overwhelmed and even get confused. Proper training should involve one or two commands at a time. Once the dog has learned that command effectively, it should then be trained the next thing.
What are your tips for training your puppy? Let us know in the comments.
Article written by Stephanie Lynch
Stephanie Lynch is works with Howmuchisit.org, the Internet’s largest cost-helping database. Its goal is to help consumers find out what the unknown things cost in life. Aside from working on this project, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her cats, kids and the great outdoors.