The 7 Basics of Dog Training
The California Dog Training believes following the basic commands is the best way to prevent unwanted behaviors. For example, a strong recall is essential to preventing door dashing (running out the front door before you can catch them) and keeping your dog safe on walks.
Train your dog to leave objects by holding a treat in your fist and saying "leave it." As soon as she stops sniffing the covered treat, reward her with another treat from a different hand.
1. Be consistent
When you train your dog, you have to be consistent. It is important to be consistent with the commands you use and the way in which you train them. If you start training your dog to come when called and then immediately correct the behavior with something negative (such as saying no, pushing him away from the counter, or putting him in a crate) it will confuse your dog. He will begin to associate being called with something unpleasant and will avoid responding.
For example, say your dog jumps up on people to greet them. Mom handles the situation by turning her back and removing her attention from the exuberant dog until the dog is calm enough to sit. Dad, on the other hand, loves to rub his face and pet the excited pup. This inconsistent training is confusing for the dog, as he is getting different rewards for jumping up on family members.
To be consistent in training, it is important to start with distraction-free environments and then gradually work your way up to more challenging situations. You also need to be consistent with how often you train your dog, keeping the sessions short at first.
2. Be patient
Dogs that lack patience are impulsive and often exhibit obnoxious behaviors such as barking, jumping up, spinning, chewing clothes or shoes, nipping, and even biting. Patience training is a great way to teach your dog impulse control and how to calm down and wait for attention from you.
Begin by introducing your dog to the 'wait' command in a distraction-free environment. Use a treat as the marker, so that your dog learns to associate it with the behavior you are asking for. Once they are performing this behavior consistently, start to extend the time it takes to get the reward from you, starting with a couple of seconds. Gradually increase this until your dog can remain in a "wait" for a longer period of time without breaking it.
In addition to teaching the dog to wait, this is also a great opportunity to practice training them to "stay." Use the same approach as you did for the 'wait' command. Hold a treat in your closed fist, and then put it in front of the dog's face so that they can see it, but cannot reach it. If they try to grab it, tell them to "stay" and progressively move your hand away from them until they are no longer able to grasp the treat with their mouth.
3. Be consistent with rewards
Rewarding your dog for the right behavior is a big part of training. But be careful to not reward unwanted behaviors. For example, if you let your dog out into the yard every time they bark at someone in the neighborhood, you are rewarding the barking (the reward being outside) but also rewarding (and encouraging) the bad behavior of going to the door and barking again.
Negative punishment is the opposite of positive reinforcement and involves removing something when your dog does an undesired behavior. It can be as simple as removing yourself from the area when your dog nips. Or it can be as complex as teaching your dog to leave a treat on the floor. Place a treat on the ground and cover it with your hand, saying "leave it." Once your dog doesn't snatch the less-tasty treat, give them the better one and say leave it again.
Use a clicker during training to provide consistency and precision in timing. This can be especially helpful when teaching new behaviors. For example, once your dog learns to stay in a down position, start with a few seconds and gradually increase the wait time until your dog is staying in a down for 15 seconds.
4. Be consistent with commands
If you want a well-trained dog, you need to be consistent with your commands. This includes verbal cues, such as "down." If you use a different command when training and your dog gets confused, it may not obey. To make sure you're being consistent with commands, start training sessions in a distraction-free environment and gradually increase the intensity and the number of repetitions.
If your dog has trouble learning a certain command, try changing up your techniques or the context of the behavior. If you're frustrated with your training, take a break. It's not helpful for you or your dog if you're frustrated, and your dog can sense it.
One way to be more consistent is by limiting your use of positive reinforcement, such as food rewards. You should only use them when training new behaviors. Otherwise, your dog may learn to ignore them. You can also try negative punishment, which involves removing something your dog likes when they do an undesired behavior. For example, if your dog paws at your hand when you're trying to get them to roll over, remove the treat and say "no." This can help to reinforce an appropriate behavior.
5. Be consistent with training sessions
Dog training can be a fun and rewarding activity for both dog and owner. However, it does require time and consistent practice. Creating a routine around training sessions helps the dog understand that it is a normal part of life.
For example, if you want to train your dog to walk by your side on a leash without pulling, start in your home or another environment with few distractions. Hold the leash in one hand and a treat in the other, and as soon as your dog starts walking in the desired position, reward them with the treat. Then, slowly increase the period between treats and practice in more challenging environments.
It is also important to be consistent with your verbal cues and commands. Use the same command and reinforcer each time to make sure your dog is understanding the meaning of the behavior.
Being consistent with your recall training can help you safely take your dog off-leash in parks and other open spaces. While your dog may be naturally curious, they should know that coming when you call will get them a reward far more exciting than chasing a squirrel! To train this, start in a distraction-free environment and load your hand with high-value treats. Then, when your dog comes back to you from a distance, reward them with the treat and then say your recall word.
6. Be consistent with the environment
It's important to train in a variety of environments and situations so your dog learns that commands apply to different places and times. This helps them to become reliable and less likely to get distracted or forget what you taught them.
For example, if you're training your dog to stay, start in a quiet room without distractions and use a clicker or treats to mark their behavior as they lie down. Then begin to slowly increase the distance and duration, while always rewarding them. This will help them understand that lying down is a desirable behavior, regardless of where or when you ask them to do it.
You can also use a technique called shaping to encourage desired behaviors, like luring them into a down from their stand or sit by hand-tugging on the leash. However, be careful not to reward unwanted behaviors, such as jumping up for attention or barking at neighbors.
Instead, show your dog that their rewards (like food, playing, walks, toys, affection, space, and crate time) come from you. This will teach them that they have to earn everything in life, including the things that they want most. This is especially important if your dog gets excited when they hear their name, as this can often lead to jumping on people and making them uncomfortable.
7. Be consistent with your voice
Whether you're talking to your dog or someone else, the meaning of your words comes down to how they sound. Your tone and volume project pleasure, pride, love, disappointment, concern, sadness, caution and correction.
Using your voice to communicate the right meaning helps you train your dog for success in all areas of life. It's important to keep in mind that your training sessions should always be positive, especially when trying to correct your dog. If you are always yelling at your dog, they may eventually tune you out and stop listening to what you have to say.
For example, if you're having trouble with your dog jumping on people or furniture, try telling them to "stay off" in a calm and assertive voice. This shows that you're in control of the situation and encourages them to listen to you.
Inconsistent commands and a lack of leadership can make your dog feel confused, which can lead to frustration and behavior issues. Be consistent with your training, and your dog will learn that following commands leads to rewards and fun times. It can also help prevent your dog from getting into dangerous situations like running out the door!
The California Dog Training believes following the basic commands is the best way to prevent unwanted behaviors. For example, a strong recall is essential to preventing door dashing (running out the front door before you can catch them) and keeping your dog safe on walks. Train your dog to leave objects by holding a treat…