Expert Dog Training Tips

No matter if you have a puppy or an older dog, it makes good sense to put in a little bit of time training them. Although there is an abundance of information out there about how to train your dog, you can't go wrong with dog training guidance from the experts.



1. Positive reinforcement is really important. Although there are several theories regarding how to train your dog, the majority of dog training experts agree that positive reinforcement works best. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog with verbal praise "good dog", physical praise like a pat on the head and food rewards. It doesn’t involve yelling at your dog, hitting or punishing them.



Positive reinforcement works because it builds a bond of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards especially food rewards.



2. Consistency is a must. If you’re working with your dog on a specific skill or trick then make an effort to train them at the same time every day. This helps your pet know what to expect. Most dogs thrive on structure and will perform and learn much quicker when they understand what is expected. If you are training using food rewards, try to train your dog before mealtime so they are a little hungry and motivated.



3. Have patience. Dogs have a tendency to learn in waves. Sometimes they pick things up quickly then the next day it looks like you must start over from the beginning. Be patient. Start every new trick with tiny steps and be very clear about what you expect. Even with the smallest tricks like "sit" you should break it down into smaller steps.



4. Use hand cues in addition to verbal cues. Some dogs have an easier time understanding and remembering hand signals than they do with verbal cues. Assign a hand signal to each trick or behavior you're training.



5. Train in small increments. Dogs have short attention spans. Attempting to train them for twenty or thirty minutes isn’t going to work. They are going to become frustrated and lose focus. Instead, keep training sessions to no more than five minutes.



At first, you may choose to train for only a minute or two until your dog learns to look forward to training. Dogs can learn to dislike training. Keeping the training sessions short will help them learn to enjoy the process.



6. Always end on a positive note. Learning a new trick is hard work. Conclude each training session, no matter how frustrating, on a positive note. Always give your dog a trick or behavior to perform that they have learned to perform and finish with a food reward and loads of praise.



7. Keep your dog healthy. Last but not least, one of the most important dog training tips from the experts recommends feeding your dog a quality dog food, giving them sufficient fresh water and making sure they have sufficient rest. A healthy dog is a more content dog and will learn desired behaviors much more quickly.



For more dog training tips, visit Obedience Training for Dogs.