Dog Training | Dog Training Advice, Including Puppy Training Tips From An Expert

Dog training advice is something I genuinely feel I am able to give. Over the years I’ve trained a number of dogs, both my own and other people’s. The ages of these dogs have varied enormously from puppies to full grown adults, so I think I can provide some sound information on how to train your dog, including some good puppy training tips.

Always use positive reinforcement and train with kindness and rewards. In the most simple terms, reward your dog with his or her favorite treat when he does what you were requiring him to do. Withhold the tread when he fails to get it right. No punishment – no “negative reinforcement”.

Always be consistent with your commands; always use exactly the same word or phrase to bring about a required behavior. Try to keep all commands short and snappy, say them clearly and be especially careful not to use two commands that sound similar to each other.

This also applies to the dog’s name. Think of all the commands you will eventually hope to teach him and make sure his name doesn’t sound similar to any of them. For example, don’t call a dog “Jet” and then wonder why he rushes to you whenever you tell him to “sit”.

If other family members are going to be involved in the dog’s training, make sure they use exactly the same commands as well.

Timing is critical. Reward your dog immediately, within seconds, when he does what is required of him, otherwise you will confuse him and he won’t understand what he is being rewarded for.

Communicate with your dog constantly. Talk to him, tell him what a good dog he is. When he is lying down quietly, give him a pat and tell him he is a good dog.  Dogs thrive on praise, they love to know that they are pleasing you and the more you communicate that pleasure to them through your voice and physical contact, the easier your job will be.

When your dog does anything undesirable, ignore it. Turn your back on him. As an example, if you come into the house and he starts jumping up, turn your back and ignore him until he calms down.

A recent report on a study performed at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that owners who use dominance based, negative reinforcement training methods often end up with dogs that are more aggressive and that the aggressiveness may eventually be directed back at the owner.

It’s an unfortunate fact that historically dog training has been based upon punishment and eliciting fear, and even more unfortunate that even today, so many called “gurus” still sell books based upon those principles.

With puppies, the most important thing is to get his attention. Quickly give him a name and frequently call him by name, addressing him clearly and in a tone of voice that gets his attention. Directly he pauses and looks at you, give him a treat.

Immediately establish a regular schedule for your puppy. Walking outside, playing, feeding, training and sleep time should become a clearly established routine. Puppies will quickly develop an internal clock and will respond positively to this.

Dog Training | Dog Training Advice – What Should You Believe?

Dog training advice you get from friends and neighbors is usually about as useless as an ashtray on a motorcycle. In fact, even the dog training advice you read in dog training books written by so called experts seems to conflict. So, what should you believe when after all is said and done, you feel more confused than ever?

Well, use your common sense. The dog world is a funny place for the uninitiated dog owner trying to find his way through the maze of egos and insecurity so often displayed by those who are supposedly in the know. Stick with the basics and don’t let yourself get caught up in all the hair-brained, psychobabble that makes you start to wonder if you’re being a horrible dog owner.

These are the simple facts folks. They’re undeniable and have been for thousands of years.

Dogs learn through association and repetition.
Dogs want to have fun, even if it’s at your expense.
Dogs don’t run toward unpleasant experiences.
Dog’s have and always will adapt to changing environments.
Dogs develop strategies to get what they want.

Closer examination:

1. If you associate an environmental event like a command to an action, your dog will understand what the command means. When you repeat the association, your dog will become conditioned to respond like you want him to.

2. Your dog’s no different than us in that he just wants to have fun. He isn’t thinking about how much your shoes cost you when he’s chewing on them. He’s thinking about the fact that it’s pretty fun to tear little pieces off one at a time and spit them out all over the rug.

3. Dogs don’t do things that aren’t fun. That’s why they don’t run into trees head first, step into boiling, sulfur hot springs or watch “Days of Our Lives.”

4. Dogs will always adapt to the environment they live in. In fact, their need to survive and seek comfort is so strong that they will adapt to a new environment in an incredibly short period of time. Sometimes minutes.

5. Dogs have been developing strategies about hunting, mating and playing for thousands of years and they still do. Your dog has developed strategies to get what he wants in your environment too.

So, just like your high school writing teacher taught you the KISS formula, (Keep It Simple Stupid) we’re going to suggest the same thing. If the advice you’re getting doesn’t make sense and it doesn’t conform to the laws of nature that have molded our little canine buddies behavior for eons, don’t listen to it.

Find more great dog obedience resources so you can train your dog at: http://www.dog-training-lifeline.com Get your FREE dog training advice along with a FREE Dog Training eBook & Videos Now!

Find out about the K9 Lifeline Training System and how to train dogs fast.

The K9 Lifeline Training System – “The Difference That Makes ALL The Difference”.

« Previous Page