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Dog Training Tips
Get a Leg Up on Training Your Dog
Training helps make dogs feel happier and more secure as they know what their owners expect out of them. The key to training is consistency. Praising your dog for every good action and correcting every wrong action paves the way for acceptable behavior.
The Basics: Praise and Correction
Remember that your dog has a very short memory. Praise after good actions, but also shortly after you've corrected an action, like chewing your shoes. This doesn't lessen the impact of the correction; it simply reassures your dog and makes the rest of the training go more smoothly.
Corrections should always be nonviolent with your voice being your basic tool. Deliver the word "No" authoritatively and as loudly as necessary.
Tip: Authority comes not from volume but from the tone of your voice.
Do not threaten your dog with your hand, rolled-up newspaper, etc. The result is a dog that cringes at the sight of any hand, whether it's raised or not. It may make your pet try to avoid contact with people.
Housebreaking
Direct housebreaking is the preferred method over paper training as an immediate stage. Follow these simple rules to housebreak a puppy directly:
 Give your puppy frequent access to the outdoors
Give your puppy ample chance to urinate or defecate before bringing it back in
Limit your puppy inside to either a certain place in the house or create a comfortable box or crate If accidents happen, correct the puppy mildly and take the pet immediately outside. Early on, let the puppy outside frequently after each feeding and whenever you see a need. Better control will develop eventually.
Obedience Training
Obedience training should begin at four to six months as a general rule. Before you begin training, introduce a choke or slip collar and a lead. Do not use the collar as a way to exert constant pressure on your dog. A slight tug may be all it takes get its attention or urge it on.
There are five basic commands for a well-trained dog:
Heel
Sit
Down
Stay
Come Training should be held regularly once or twice a day. Initial sessions should last five minutes, increasing to approximately 30 minutes. Anything longer will bore your dog and devalue the previous training. Always play with your dog after each session.
To learn more about these commands, you may wish to enroll in a professional course or consult a trainer. Back to top
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