If you’ve got a new dog at home and you’re wondering where to start with training, use these top 10 dog training tips right away.
1. Listen to your dog
If your dog appears uncomfortable meeting another dog or person, don’t insist he say hello. Forcing your puppy to do things he’s resistant to can cause bigger problems later on.
2. Shower her with affection
Give your dog tons of attention when she’s doing appropriate behavior. Let her know she’s being a good girl. Be extra generous with your praise. That will reinforce good behavior and help you create a strong bond together.
3. Be specific
When you come across your dog chewing your shoes or laying on the bed, sometimes “no” isn’t a good enough correction. Offer up a specific alternative, like giving him a chew toy instead of the shoes, or telling him to lay on his bed instead of yours. Alternatives can help him avoid any confusion.
4. Be consistent
Get everyone in the family on the same page with the training, so everyone is using the same language. If you don’t want your dog to jump up on you, are you using “off” or “down”? If teaching your dog to walk next to you, are you using “heel” or “close”? Get everyone using the same commands so your dog knows what everything means.
5. Be realistic
Training takes time so don’t expect your dog to be responding to your cues overnight. The more time, affection, rewards, and consistency you put into it, the better chances you’ll have of having a well trained dog.
A good rule of thumb is that you’ll get the behaviors you reinforce. So stay consistent, keep a positive attitude, and have fun in the process. If you need additional help, you can always bring your dog in for an extensive training program at Happy Hound.
