If you have a dog or you’re thinking about bringing one home for the first time, you probably want to know a little bit about how to train your new family pet. But even if you have a dog who’s been part of the family for a while already, that doesn’t mean you can’t train them, too!
In this article, we’ll show you a few basic tips you can use for dog training. With the help of this information, you should be ready to teach your dog tricks and commands in no time. Read on to find out more. If you have any questions, call City Line Veterinary Center in Moline at (309) 524-5696.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement goes a long way when it comes to training a dog. By using positive reinforcement instead of negative, you can help your dog understand that doing something good means they will get something good in return. The best way to do this, of course, is to give your dog lots of treats!
When you’re teaching your dog a behavior, you can encourage them to perform the behavior you’re looking for by offering treats. And when they get it right, make sure you provide plenty more treats, attention, and praise so they know they’re on the right track.
Train One Command at a Time
If you were trying to learn a lot of new skills at once, you probably wouldn’t want to throw them all into one single lesson. Dogs are the same way; it pays to work slowly and take commands and tricks one at a time when teaching a dog.
Once your dog has the hang of one or two commands, you can start adding more. Just remember not to overload your dog, and never expect them to pick up more than one or two new commands in a day.
Take Breaks
Although you probably want to work through your dog’s training as quickly as you possibly can, your dog likely doesn’t feel the same way. Even dogs who love to learn and train don’t want to spend all their time doing this, and it’s a good idea to give your dog (and yourself) plenty of breaks along the way.
By taking breaks, you’re also showing your dog that you’re not always going to be as strict with them as you are during training sessions. This makes it easier for you and your dog to bond outside of practicing their skills and commands.
Build on Past Lessons
Many dog skills look complicated, but they’re actually just a compilation of a lot of earlier skills put together to create something new. For example, if you want your dog to learn to lay down and stay, you’ll need to teach them how to sit first. Then you can teach them lay down, and then you can work on stay.
Dogs learn in stages like this, so once you have on part of a process solidly trained, you can add onto it without much trouble. Make sure to keep practicing the earlier stages, too!
Use a Leash
If you’re teaching your dog to walk on a leash, it goes without saying that they’ll be on a leash during the lesson. But did you know putting your dog on a leash can make it easier to train them in other skills and commands, too?
When you put your dog on a leash, you’re signaling to them that this isn’t necessarily playtime. You’re also telling them that you’re in control of the situation and they don’t have the freedom to run around anywhere they want while you’ve got the leash in your hand. Of course, you don’t want to scare them in any way, but having control in a training situation can make a big difference.
Practice Daily
Dogs don’t have very long attention spans or memories. It takes daily practice with training commands, tricks, and skills to ensure your dog will remember what they’ve already learned in the past.
Take time to work through your list of commands with your dog at least once every day. The more often you do this, the more solidly they will remember them, and the easier it will be for them to remember what they’re supposed to do when they’re given a certain command.
This information only scratches the surface of what you need to know about training your dog. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if you have any more questions or concerns about your dog’s behavior or training needs. Your vet may be able to provide specific information for your individual dog.
Additionally, if you don’t feel up to the task of training your dog yourself, you can always work with a professional trainer to handle the hard part for you. Classes and training sessions with you, your dog, and your trainer can make a big difference for your pet’s needs. Call us today at (309) 524-5696.