The Do’s and Don’ts Of How To Train A Dog

How to train a dog and how not to, are important lessons that every trainer needs to learn.  Knowing what should be avoided is just as important as understanding what is necessary, especially since it is so easy to make mistakes and unintentionally reinforce negative behaviors.

The following is a breakdown of how to train a dog Do’s and Don’ts:

DO…

  • Be consistent – teach a lesson using the same technique, verbal instruction and hand signal every time.
  • Be patient – Take training slow and wait for your dog’s comprehension.
  • Teach one command at a time – More than one can create confusion.
  • Keep lessons short – no longer than 10 minutes.
  • Praise immediately when he does what you want – As soon as he performs the action correctly either “click” if you are using the clicker training method or verbally praise and pet him to show you are pleased.  Rewarding with a treat also helps with positive reinforcement.
  • Have everyone in your home know how to train a dog using the methods you’ve employed.
  • Train in a quiet focused environment.  Limiting distractions helps to keep your dog’s focus on you and your attention on him.
  • Teach all basic obedience commands – This may include but is not limited to: Sit, Down, Stay, Wait, Come, Off, etc.  These are important to ensure good behaviors, as well as the safety of your pooch and others.
  • Use a firm voice when giving a verbal command – He needs to know you are in control.
  • Socialize him with other people (men, women and children of all ages) and other dogs/animals.

DON’T…

  • Engage in training when you are not ready, are in a bad mood or don’t want to – It has to be a positive experience or you’ll do more harm than good.  Your pet can sense your displeasure.  Don’t make teaching a chore – have fun!
  • Continuously repeat commands – This will not only frustrate your companion to the point that he’ll ignore you, but it virtually renders the command meaningless.  Knowing how to train a dog is about making your instruction mean something.  If you tell him “Sit” and he doesn’t listen to you the first time, say it again and push his back end down so he is in the position and give him light praise.  You must show him what you want him to do.
  • Expect your pooch to catch on immediately – Learning takes time.  Don’t become disheartened when he doesn’t get it right away.  .  Be consistent and repeat the lesson daily until he gets it.  You may also need to break it down into smaller steps.
  • Back down – If he doesn’t seem focused on training, how to train a dog in this situation is to take a break and engage him in play for the time being and then try again.
  • Hit your dog or reprimand him when he makes mistakes.  When he fails to perform as you want him to start again.  Negative actions will only discourage his learning.

Always end training on a positive note.  Take your pet for a walk, have some playtime or give him a good scratch.  Remember, how to train a dog successfully takes constant positivity, patience, persistence and love.