Forget the old adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Training and obedience work isn’t just for puppies, it’s an activity that you should do with your dog throughout his life. It’s not only a good way to have a more well behaved dog, it’s also helps to build and maintain a strong bond with your dog, and a great way to keep him mentally stimulated.
When it comes to dog training, most of the work involves training you how to effectively communicate your wishes with your dog. Here are some basic training tips to get you started.
Always make sure you’re in a good mood. Training isn’t always easy and if you are stressed out to the point of getting angry and yelling, then it is time to end the session and try again when you’re calmer. Attempting to train your dog when you’re angry or impatient will turn training into a stressful time for everyone, making progress more difficult.
Keep it short and sweet. This way you won’t loose your dog’s attention and you can’t use the excuse of not having the time to train your dog. It’s amazing the difference that five minutes a day, several times a week can make.
Start with simple commands (like sit) and work up to the more difficult ones (like putting away their toys).
The tone and volume of your voice is incredibly important. You want to be firm, but not angry and giving commands in a loud voice isn’t necessarily better. A loud voice can make your dog think you’re angry with him and then he might not be doing what you’re asking because he’s stressed or confused. You should speak clearly, but don’t yell.
Maintain the game-like feel to training and your dog will be much more enthusiastic about learning new things.
The basic commands like sit, stay and heel are all popular commands for a reason: shorter commands are easier for dogs to remember. Try to pick one- or two-word commands that are distinct from other commands. For example, after giving a bath to my dog Yogi I tried to get him to shake all the water off by enthusiastically encouraging him to “shake!” He then very obediently sat down in the shower and offered me his paw to shake.
Another great example of an often-misused command is that “down” can be used to tell a dog that has jumped on you to get off, or as the command to “lie down.” In this specific case it’s better to use the command “off” to stop the jumping behavior and then “down” for the lie down command. It’s a good idea to pay attention to what you’re saying and try to think of how your dog might be interpreting it.
Repetition and being consistent with the commands you use is important. I’d recommend making a list of all the verbal cues you want your dog to respond to and make sure that anyone who regularly interacts with your dog (family members, dog sitters, neighbors, etc.) is aware of what the proper commands are. Don’t be afraid to correct a person when they use the wrong command with your dog.
Incorporating body language, like a corresponding hand signal (or special touch if your dog is blind like mine!) can help to reinforce what you are trying to communicate.
Leave punishments out of training time. Handling your dog in a harsh manner such as hitting or spanking isn’t going to accomplish anything. All you will do is train your dog to dislike being trained.
Having a well-trained dog can make it easier to live together as well as to go places together. So whether you’re working on the basics like sit and stay or trying to teach your dog how to make the perfect martini (shaken not stirred, please), an on-going training program is an essential part of a healthy and happy pooch.
