Small Steps to Training Success

There are lots of different ways to train a dog. The secret is to do your research and learn from as many good trainers as you can. I like to think of this as adding tools to my tools box. What works for one dog may not work with another, so having different techniques you can use will only help. I’ve trained with many different trainers that each have their own ‘way’. Some good and some not so good so you must use your best judgment. One big thing is, know your dog and remain calm and consistent.

Training is about communication; conditioning your dog to respect you as the pack leader as you set rules, boundaries, and limitations. As the human, you need to practice patience and also know yourself. If you start to get frustrated, angry or nervous, the dog will pick up on your energy and the training could be counterproductive.

Take your time. This is the biggest mistake I see people make when training a new dog. Even a minute of calm, focused training can make a difference.

Set aside time every day to work on training. Remember, dogs need discipline, so giving them dedicated time when they need to focus on you, the pack leader, is important to maintain good behaviour on a regular basis.

I’m always training my dogs, it may not always be formal training but everything I do or say around my dogs is “training” – remember remain consistent in your body language, signals, and commands.

Know what you want from your dog. Set a clear goal and stick to it.

Training and conditioning require consistent reinforcement to keep the dog enjoying the behaviour.

Keep training sessions short and sweet, and pay close attention to your dog’s behaviour, are they getting tired, overtaxed or even bored. You want to keep them interested and wanting more!

Use training as a time to help your dog learn to problem-solve on their own, give them time to work it out. It keeps their mind busy and helps build confidence.

Take time to find the rewards that work best. Not all dogs are food-motivated, so do your homework and if one way isn’t giving you the results you want, try different things.

Always end a training session with a positive. If they are struggling with something, change it to something you know they can do and end with that.

When met with a challenge, put yourself in the dog’s place and think like a dog and not a human.

Most importantly, training should be fun and positive.