10 Rules in Training Your Dog

The training of purebred dogs through obedience is not a game, although sometimes we perceive dogs as partners for entertainment. Dogs, regardless of breed, are animals with a considerable learning potential and the work in dog training is marked by few basic rules. Here are ten important rules in training your dog.

1. A health dog leans faster

A dog, as long as it is healthy, has the same ability to learn regardless of age. Only old age impairs his capacity to respond effectively in a dog training program.

2. Patience and proper rewards

For having the best results when it comes to dog training, we have to rely on patience and appropriate rewards. The reward offered to a dog in an integrated training program must occur during the time of exercise of the dog or a second afterwards. If food is a reward, do the dressage before a meal, not after. If caresses are rewards, then do the training when he needs the most attention, for example when you return from work. Make sure the reward will be according to the type of motivation that works best for him. To dogs motivated to eat, you must give them their favorite food. Piece of food should be small and texture one that does not require chewing, or dog’s attention will disappear. If the reward is petting, you should know that most dogs do not like being petted on the head, but rather the chest.

3. Schooling should be a pleasant experience for both the dog and for you

If you are not in the mood, do not even start. Training sessions should be short, 5 to 10 minutes to maintain the motivation of the puppy. If the dog does not respond to your commands, after several attempts, do not reward him. Return to simple commands and then resume complex ones. Finish training is a positive note. Ask your dog a command you know for sure that he will comply.

4. Any dog should be familiar with basic commands like come, sit, down and stay

Other useful commands are leave it, give it, stop or enough. Remember that a puppy’s motivation decreases as the commands are more complex. From the perspective of the dog the question is: what is better, chasing a squirrel or returning to the owner. Understanding this aspect will increase your patience and your chances of success.

5. Training should not include penalties

So do not yell, do not hit your dog, do not tighten the leash. Remember that the opposite of reward is not punishment, is not rewarding him. Most dogs want to please their owners, whether it is just for food, attention or toys.

6. Uses short commands like sit, down, leave it

Say the word again. Do not repeat the command. Dogs will hold the order for two minutes. Besides short words, it is better to use words with strong consonants.

7. Gradually increase the time the dog must remain in a sitting position or place until it adopts a relaxed position for one minute and you’re at 1.5 m from him.

This is a cool trick to make sure he is able bot to get distracted.

8. Varies commands during a training session

Keep sessions short but do them frequently. Dogs will learn more from repeated short sessions than from long and irregular ones. Initially, the dog should be rewarded for two out of three achievements, until he gets to receive occasionally.

9. After the training is held in a quiet place, you can begin to work in environments with many elements that can distract his attention.

The first training exercises will be held in an area devoid of strong stimuli (items that can distract the dog), so he can learn without being undisturbed. First put the dog on a leash, then gradually remove it.

10. Make sure other members of the family train him as well

After a family member puts the dog through a set of commands executed, other members of the family must go through the exercises already learned by the dog. In this way the dog learns that he doesn’t have an authoritative position in the family hierarchy, immediately after the leader.