Training your dog is essential. It’s one of the most basic ways to show just how much you love and care. You can choose to work with one or you can choose to train your dog on your own. It will all depend on the kind of lifestyle you have, your energy, and your schedule. To help you determine if training on your own is best for you, we’d share answers to the most frequently asked dog training questions.
Understanding them will help you see the importance and particulars of training. Some owners even hire expert trainers like DogBehaviouristLondon, who can dedicate time, effort, and energy to solely training their beloved dogs.
What are the main benefits of dog training?
The following are the main benefits that you and your dog will enjoy during and after dog training:
- Stronger bond between you and your dog – training will allow you to spend more time with your dog. This in turn will allow you to know more about your dog. You will also allow your dog to get to know you more. You will be able to share positive experiences that will improve your overall wellness. It will also improve yours.
- Your dog will be more confident – your pet will have a good sense of self as your training will make them understand that they can do good things. This will be the case if you will use positive reinforcement.
- Your dog will be more sociable – training will teach boundaries. Knowing about boundaries is the key to making any pet become sociable. A well-trained dog is a prerequisite for making the most of doggy day-care and dog boarding services which make life more convenient for dog owners.
- You and your dog will effectively have additional safety precautions – training will allow you to make your dog be extra sensitive to cues. It will also improve your listening skills. It will be easier for you to get your attention when in public.
- It will be easier for experts to train your pet- this will be the case if you’d choose to train your dog on your own initially. As they will already be familiar with your training methods, they will find it easier to work with experts.
How do I teach my dog to sit, stay, and come?
Sit: Start by having your dog sit before offering a treat. Once your dog is sitting, give them a treat and praise them. If your dog does not sit when commanded to do so, begin again by having them sit before offering a treat. Repeat these steps until your dog reliably sits when asked.
Stay: To teach your dog to stay, start by providing them with a toy or bone that they can play with while you are training. When commanded to stay, have your dog put the toy or bone away in an approved spot and give them a treat. If your dog fails to obey the command, start over again by giving them a toy or bone before issuing the stay command. Repeat these steps until your dog reliably stays in one spot when asked.
Come: To teach your dog to come when called, have them sit near you with their leash in hand. Instruct them to “come” by pulling on the leash gently enough so that they walk towards you but do not let go of the leash. Once they are close enough, give them a reward (such as a treat or pet). Continue training this way until your dog comes whenever called.
Will training improve my dog’s behaviour?
Pet’s don’t naturally know how to behave “well” when around humans. What you call ‘bad behaviour’ is more or less natural behavior that dogs are not fully aware of. This is where dog training can greatly help. For starters, your pet is not behaving badly, they are just behaving like dogs. training will not make them behave better, but it will make them assimilate better with your lifestyle. In training, they will learn to use their noses, mouths, and paws in such a way that is not chaotic. Their training will teach them things that are okay to do and things that are not okay to do. This, in turn, will result in having a kind of behavior that suits your lifestyle.
What is the most recommended method of training?
There are numerous kinds of methods that you can use when training your pet. The following are the most popular ones:
- Scientific training
- Positive reinforcement
- Electronic training
- Clicker training
- Relationship-Based Training
- Mirror Training or Model-Rival Training
- Dominance or Alpha Training
Experts highly recommend the use of positive reinforcement. It is highly recommended because it does not require extensive professional training. Any owner can do it without the help of experts. It simply involves that act of consistent giving of rewards every time a dog will do something “right” or “correct.” This in turn will lead to training to always do the right thing and exhibit the preferred behavior.
When can I start training a new puppy?
It is never too early to start training a puppy. You can start training your puppy as soon as you bring them home. For best results, it’s best to start training once your puppy is fully vaccinated. But such can be too late for some as it is best when a puppy is trained when 6 – 16 weeks old as this is its period of significant brain development. Such can be utilized to easily assimilate a puppy to all aspects of your lifestyle. During this stage, it’s best if your puppy could begin doing the following already:
- Meet new dogs
- Meet new people
- Meet new cats
- Go to different locations
You can make it easier for you and your puppy if you’d enroll your puppy in a socialization class. Young dogs enter their adolescent phase when they are 8 – 18 months old. This period requires a different kind of training as this is considered their “teenage years.”
Can I still train an old dog?
Yes! No dog is too old to undergo training. The saying that you can’t teach any new tricks is totally untrue! People who adopt rescue dogs know this for a fact. Even old rescues can very well be trained to allow for easy household assimilation. You can teach any age just about any kind of trick or command. You just have to be realistic though and know that it will take time, patience, and solid dedication. You should never lose hope as it is very possible! Old ones can easily undergo the following training:
- Agility training
- Nose work
- Therapy training
- Tricks
- Commands
- Dock diving
If you’re considering dog training, it’s important to know the answers to some frequently asked questions. We’ve addressed a few of the most common queries about dog training and provided you with tips on how to get started. Armed with this information, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an effective dog trainer!
