Positive Reinforcement is the Key to Good Dog Training
Good training is based on positive reinforcement and should take into consideration the age, breed and temperament of your dog. Training a puppy is much different than training older senior dog. You may decide to train the dog yourself or perhaps you want to find a trainer.
You can find a qualified trainer through referrals from friends and family, your vet, pet store, or via a reputable online source.
Best Dog Training Books
If you decide to tackle dog training yourself, you can also read a number of excellent books on dog training. Some of these books are,
- How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete
- The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete
- The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller
- The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B. McConnell, PhD.
- Don’t Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor
- Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz
- Perfect Puppy in 7 Days by Dr. Sophia Yin
Any book by these authors are great places to start your self education.
Start Training Your Dog Today
To start training a dog, it is important to use positive reinforcement, be consistent, and provide clear and concise commands. It is recommended to start training as early as possible and avoid punishment or physical force. Minimizing distractions and break training up into short bite sized sessions that occur on a regular basis.
Here are some steps to help you get started:
- Start with basic obedience training: This includes teaching your dog commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “heel.” You can use treats or toys to reward your dog for good behavior.
- Socialize your dog: Socialization is important for your dog’s mental health and well-being. Introduce your dog to new people, animals, and environments in a positive way.
- Teach your dog good manners: This includes teaching your dog not to jump on people, not to bark excessively, and not to chew on things they shouldn’t.
• Be patient: Training a dog takes time and patience. Don’t expect your dog to learn everything overnight. - Stay consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to training a dog. Use the same commands and rewards every time you train.
- Make it fun: Training should be fun for both you and your dog. Use positive reinforcement and make sure to take breaks when needed.
Traing Your Dog is Important
Learn a New Trick. Sticking to the just basics is fine, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find some new activity to do together. Clicker training and agility training are very popular and can be a fun way to spend time with your dog. Check online to find local classes or ask your veterinarian or dog trainer if they know of local events.
Introduce Your Dog to Strangers. The time will come when you and your pet will need to be separated, even if it’s just for a short time. Sometime your dog may be cared for by a friend or family member, or maybe they will go to doggy daycare or have to stay in a kennel while you’re away on trip. Prepare for this by introducing your pup to new people in a controlled environment. The simple act of letting your pet meet and greet new people will help socialize them in the event that you need to be away. Also, if you live in an adults-only household, you may want to take the time to introduce your dog to children. The more positive experiences your dog has around children, the better behaved they’ll be around kids.
Take A Ride. To make car rides enjoyable for your dog, it is important to associate the car with positive experiences. Start by taking your dog on short trips in your car and always make the destination a fun or interesting place for them to be. Use treats or toys to reward good behavior and make sure you have proper pet-carriers for smaller dogs and appropriate seat belts or harnesses for larger breeds to ensure safety. If the only time your dog gets in a car is to go to the vet, they may develop a negative association with cars, making it difficult to crate them or load them into the car when you need them to come with you.
