8 Dog Training Tips You Should Be Following

8 Dog Training Tips You Should Be Following 

Want to make sure you get the most out of your training session with your pup? The following hints will help you maximize your results as you train your way to a well-behaved furry best friend.  

Find Treats Your Dog Loves

Most pet parents realize that treats and training go hand in hand. However, the quality of the treat can impact the quality of the response. During the initial stages of training, it’s best to use a variety of amazing goodies that your dog absolutely loves, like bits of hot dog, cheese or freeze-dried liver.

Once your dog has mastered the behavior you are trying to train, you can wean down to an everyday type of treat and then over time move on to intermittent rewards. Don’t forget, when you move to distraction-filled zones where you haven’t trained before (like on a busy street or in a park) you’ll need to go back to the amped-up goodies until your pup generalizes the behavior in the new area.

Use Play as a Reward

While food is a nearly universal training motivator, for many dogs, play is a close second. Incorporating play into your training routine is a fantastic way to keep your sessions engaging and surprising. First, identify the type of play your dog prefers. Is it a quick round of tug? Or maybe some high-speed fetch? Then consider how you can use that preference during your training sessions.

A game of tug is easy to incorporate into all types of training exercises; simply ask for a behavior and when your dog performs it, whip out a pocket-sized tug toy for a short play session. A game like fetch doesn’t apply in all training scenarios since you need a safe space to toss the ball (for example, you can’t play fetch during a leash walk in the city), but training exercises like coming when called in the yard are a great match for it.

Don’t Forget Vocal Praise

Treats and play are super important training elements, but don’t forget about that one special reward that’s unique to you: your voice! Praising your dog is a yet another way to drive home the idea that he’s done something extra special and worthy of notice. But not all praise is created equal. Some dogs appreciate over-the-top praise, while others like a more subdued approach, so watch your pup to determine the type works best for him and praise away. 

Be Realistic

When we learn how to read, we take baby steps. First, we start off with the ABCs, then we move on to Dick and Jane and, if all goes well, we end up reading Tolstoy. But it’s impossible to jump from the ABCs straight to complex Russian fiction, right? Then why do we ask our dogs to do the same thing?

Achieving success in foundation work doesn’t automatically mean that your dog can go from a basic recall in your yard to a recall when he’s chasing bunnies in the woods. It’s important to be realistic about what your dog has actually learned versus what you’re asking of him. It’s great to have lofty training goals, just make sure you put in the time with your pooch in order to achieve them.

Leave ‘Em Wanting More

It’s tempting to keep going when training is progressing well, but less is more when it comes to training time.

Rather than letting the fun turn into endless boring exercises, stop the session while your dog is still eager to work. There’s nothing worse than watching your dog’s excitement about learning something new turn into, “This again?” Remember, it’s exhausting to master a new skill, so even if you feel like there’s still more to do, your dog might be closer to information overload than you realize. Short sessions help to keep your pup a happy student, and excited to begin the next time school is in session.

Turn Training into a Party

Long ago, dog training used to be a series of joyless drills, but we’ve learned that the more happily engaged you are as you train, the better your results will be. Any time you set out to work with your dog, even if you’re addressing something serious like leash reactivity, remember to capture all of the positive moments that occur during the session. Any stress you feel can travel down the leash to your dog. By keeping a positive and upbeat outlook, even in the most challenging of situations, your dog will understand that everything is okay.

End on a High Note

Let’s say your pooch is working on a new trick, like “wave.” He’s really close to mastering it, but he’s not quite there. You’re a little frustrated, your dog is getting tired, and you know it’s time to wrap it up. Before you put the treats away, take a second to ask your dog to perform something easy that he loves to do. Maybe it’s “spin” or “high five” or even a basic “sit.” It doesn’t matter what the behavior is, what’s important is that your dog finishes the session on top with a skill that he enjoys performing. This final high note reminds your dog that even when the going gets tough, there’s still fun to be had.

Put Your Dog’s Skills to Good Use

What’s the easiest way to keep your dog fluent in his training lessons? Use them! The training cues you work on together are meant to be a part of your dog’s everyday life, so polish up those basic skills in the classroom and then put them to good use.

If your dog jumps on you when you get his leash out, ask him to sit instead. If your dog rushes the dishwasher every time you open it, put him in a down-stay a few steps away while you load it. These real world mini-training sessions keep your dog’s skills sharp. Plus, you don’t have to set aside special “training time” to work on them; one-and-done training is quick and easy.