Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. They bring love, loyalty and companionship into our lives. But dogs can also be stubborn, independent and hard to train at times. If you have recently adopted a new dog or you have an older dog who isn’t so great with obedience training, the good news is that it is never too late to begin training them. The truth is that most dogs just need to be given the right tools and guidance in order to become obedient companions. Even if your dog seems like they have no interest in listening to what you say, they will almost always respond well to positive reinforcement (like treats or toys) as well as negative reinforcement (like withholding something they like). This article covers some basic tips on how you can get started with dog obedience training today.
Tips for Basic DogObedience Training
Before you even begin training your dog, there are a few things you can do to make the process go more smoothly. First and foremost, make sure you have the time and patience required to train your dog properly. Dogs are creatures of habit and they will respond best to training if it is done consistently. If you have other dogs in your house, keep in mind that you will have to train them together. This can be a bit more challenging, but it can also be very rewarding if you are successful. If you have a puppy, it is important to begin training them early. Puppies respond best to training when they are between the ages of 3 weeks and 12 weeks old.
Establish YourDominance
The first step to successful dog obedience training is to establish yourself as the leader of the pack. You want to let your dog know that you are the one in charge by providing them with structure and clear expectations. If you have multiple dogs in your house, this means that you need to be the alpha dog in each and every situation. The alpha dog is the one who the other dogs look to for direction. To become the alpha dog with one of your dogs, you should follow the following steps: Use your dominant voice - When you are training your dog, it is important to use a more dominant voice. This means raising your voice slightly and speaking more slowly than usual. Avoid using a soothing or soft tone when you are training your dog. Provide clear expectations - When you are training your dog, it is important that you provide clear expectations for them. Let your dog know what they are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do. This will help ensure that your dog always knows what is expected of them. Establish an alpha pose - An alpha pose is a position that lets your dog know that you are the alpha dog in their relationship. To establish this pose, you want to stand up straight with your shoulders back and your head held up high. Hold your arms at your side and let your dog come to you.
The “Stay” Command
The stay command is one of the most important things to teach your dog. This command will help your dog learn to stay put when they are told to do so. The easiest way to teach your dog to stay is by using their food or something else they really like. Start by getting your dog to sit (for a more detailed explanation on how to do this, see our section on basic commands below). Once your dog is sitting, hold a treat above your dog’s head but out of their reach. Say the word “stay” and then slowly move the treat above your dog’s head. Your dog will naturally rise up out of the sitting position to try to get the treat and you can gently push them back down. Once your dog is sitting again, hold the treat above their head again and then give them the treat.
The “Come” Command
One of the most important basic dog obedience training techniques is teaching your dog to come when you call them. The “come” command can help save your dog’s life if they decide to run into the street. If you have recently adopted a new dog, you should begin this training as soon as you get them. The best way to do this is by getting your dog familiar with the sound of a clicking or clicking pen. Click it whenever they do something you like (like sitting or relaxing) and they will begin to associate the sound with pleasure. Then, once your dog is comfortable with the sound of the pen, you can use it to call them to you. Start by getting your dog’s attention and then clicking the pen. Your dog will turn around and come towards you. Once they reach you, give them a treat.
The “No” Command
The “no” command is a basic dog obedience training technique that all dogs should know. This command can help prevent accidents from occurring in your home as well as help curb bad behaviors like digging, chewing and barking. The key to teaching your dog the “no” command is to reward them when they do the behavior you like and ignore them when they do the behavior you don’t like. For example, if your dog starts digging a hole in your backyard, you can say “no” followed by the command “find something else to do.” If your dog looks at you and stops digging, praise them and then offer them a reward. If they keep digging after you have said “no,” ignore them until they stop. The key is to not acknowledge the bad behavior.
Utilizing ShapingStrategies and Rewards
Shaping strategies are a fun and creative way to get your dog to learn new tricks. Essentially, you want to start with a very basic trick like getting your dog to sit and then rewarding them with a treat or a toy when they do so. Once your dog is used to doing this trick, you can add a bit more to it. You can do this by having your dog sit, holding the treat out in front of them and then clicking a clicking pen or saying the word “speak.” This is a great dog obedience training technique because it will help your dog associate learning with rewards. As your dog becomes more accustomed to this, you can begin to add more expectations to this trick.
Conclusion
The key to successful dog obedience training is to be consistent and patient. Remember that each dog is different and will learn at their own pace. While some dogs may pick up the basics of training in a few weeks, others may take a few months. If you have recently adopted a new dog or you have an older dog who isn’t so great with obedience training, the good news is that it is never too late to begin training them. The important thing is that you take the time to learn about your dog and what makes them tick. With a little bit of time and effort, you can have a well-behaved dog in no time.