Dogs are truly wonderful animals that provide us with companionship, love, and loyalty. There’s nothing quite like a snuggle with a furry family member after a long day! Unfortunately, a poorly trained dog can cause stress and frustration for their owners. But, there is hope! Keep reading to learn how proper dog training helps them to be happier and creates a stronger bond between the owner and dog.
Well-trained dogs are happier because they understand what is expected of them and how to please their owner. Training also helps to build their confidence, helping them become more well-rounded, adaptable, and obedient. Additionally, they become safer for both themselves and for others. For example, a dog that is trained to come when called is less likely to run away or get lost, and a dog that knows how to behave in public places is less likely to cause an accident.
Just like with most things in life, it does take some time to properly train a dog. Training them one time is not enough to expect them to behave perfectly. Consistency in training is essential to ensure that the dog maintains good behavior and continues to learn new commands and behaviors.
So, what are some ways dog parents can stay consistent with their dog handling skills to create a happier dog and a stronger bond with their furry family members?
Set clear rules and boundaries
Setting clear rules and boundaries is crucial for any training program to be effective. Dogs need to know what is expected of them, and the owner needs to be consistent in enforcing these rules. For example, if you don’t want your dog to jump on the furniture, you must always redirect them when they try to do so. Even if it takes multiple times. If you allow your dog to do it sometimes and not other times, they will become confused and may continue to try to jump on the furniture.
Use positive reinforcement for teaching
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a dog. This means by teaching with rewarding and seeing if toy drive is an incentive, too. Dogs respond well to praise, treats, and other rewards, so it is essential to use these to encourage good behavior. For example, if your dog sits when you tell them to, give them a treat or praise them. If they continue to do so, gradually decrease the number of treats, but always praise them.
Use repetition
Repetition is key to learning any new skill, and this is true for dogs as well. Dogs need to be taught a new command or behavior repeatedly until they understand what is expected of them. For example, if you are teaching your dog to sit, you need to repeat the command and show them how to sit over and over until they learn the behavior.
Be patient
Training a dog takes time and patience. It is essential to be patient with your dog and not to get frustrated or angry when they don’t understand or make mistakes. Dogs pick up on their owner’s emotions, so it is important to stay calm and positive during training sessions.
Keep training sessions short and frequent
Dogs have short attention spans, so it is important to keep training sessions short and frequent. Aim for five to ten minutes of training per session, several times a day. This will help to keep your dog engaged and interested in the training process.
Practice in different environments
Dogs need to be trained in different environments to ensure that they understand the command and/or behavior in different situations. For example, if you have trained your dog to sit at home, you need to practice this behavior in public places, such as a park or a pet store, to reinforce the behavior in different environments. More importantly, once a dog is consistent with their skills in their home, go in the backyard to test those skills, and then venture out. Set up your dog for success and don’t rush the process.
Stay consistent
Consistency is the key to successful dog training. Dogs need to be trained consistently, and the owner needs to be consistent in enforcing the rules and boundaries set for the dog. This means that all members of the household need to be on the same page when it comes to enforcing good behaviors.
Let us Help!
At Performance K9 Training and Boarding, we work closely with pet parents to not only assist you in owning a well-trained dog, but also to be a resource on how to maintain your pet’s habits to ensure that they have a happy and healthy home life.
We also offer brush-up training during our doggy daycare and board + train services to help enforce good behaviors in your pup while you’re busy. Contact us today to learn more!
