With so much to know about training a dog, it’s hard to know where to start. However, what few people know is that you can set a solid foundation for your dog by following a few key rules. Whether you’re establishing boundaries for your new dog or reinforcing learned training, you can start by following these dog training tips to get your pup on the right paw forward!
Essential dog training tips for every owner
Reward immediately.
Your dog won’t understand 5 minutes, let alone if you wait any longer, to reward them for good behavior. Be sure to reward them when good behavior occurs to reinforce the habit. – The same goes for poor behavior. If you wait any longer, your dog will not relate the behavior with the reward.
Consistency is key.
Whether it’s different care attendants or different times of day, don’t let your pup act contrary to what their training has taught. Reinforce training so your dog doesn’t revert back into their old habits.
Mix up people and places.
If your pup only knows to not jump on people inside of your home or only comes to you when alone, they may not have fully mastered these skills. Try taking them to different locations and having different friends or members of your family practice basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.”
Until your dog learns to walk without pulling, consider every walk a training session.
Getting training down takes repetition. Make sure your dog is demonstrating their loose leash walking and heeling on each and every walk.
Keep practicing no matter what age.
Just like a skilled prima ballerina keeps taking dance classes, your pup should always continue practicing their training skills.
With these five tips, you’ll be off to a great start! If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or ask one of our fantastic trainers the next time you’re at Fitdog!