Tips and Tricks for a Well-Behaved Pet

Start Simple

A well-trained dog brings immense joy to your life. They walk beside you calmly, without pulling on the leash. They greet visitors politely and refrain from jumping up. They understand that furniture is off-limits and eat their meals peacefully, without turning your couch into a chew toy. To achieve this, it’s essential to address unwanted behaviour by teaching and reinforcing desirable actions. For instance, when your dog barks, saying their name loudly and quickly can help them stop barking and respond to your command.

Additionally, training them to “drop it” by offering a favourite toy and using the cue “take it” can teach them to release the toy when you say “drop it.” This command is valuable for various situations, including car rides and social visits. Another important skill is teaching them to “wait,” especially when they’re excited to see visitors. It’s crucial for them to learn to wait patiently at the door, before going outside or into a car, and while waiting for mealtime.

Build It Up

Regardless of your dog training goals, whether it’s excelling in competition obedience, participating in rally events, or simply enjoying public outings with your dog, reinforcing desired behaviours is essential. While positive reinforcement is generally easier and more effective than negative reinforcement (such as saying “no”), both play important roles in the training process.

If enrolling in obedience classes is not feasible for you due to time or financial constraints, consider seeking volunteer training opportunities at local animal shelters, kennels, or veterinarians. By engaging in these activities, you not only strengthen the bond with your furry companion but also enhance your own training skills while contributing to the welfare of animals seeking permanent homes. Remember to bring a 6-8′ training lead to aid in the training process.

Make It Fun

When working on a training exercise with your dog, make it fun. Dogs’ attention span is only about one-tenth of ours and if they become bored, their focus will shift, and they will be more reluctant to play and learn.

Incorporate games into your training sessions, such as “name recognition” or recall. Reward them when they hear their name and use a happy tone, as dogs associate the sound of their name with positive things.

Similarly, incorporate activities that help build their confidence around noises and people they are initially scared of. For example, you can practice walking on a loose leash in a quiet environment, and then gradually introduce them to noisier environments and other people. It is important not to reward them when they bark or react to these situations, as it will teach them that acting in this way is acceptable. This will make it much harder for them to break their habits later on.

Reward Your Pup

Selecting the appropriate reward is crucial; some may prefer engaging in quick play sessions with their favourite toys or receiving affection from you. It is important to deliver rewards promptly and accurately to prevent any confusion about the desired behaviour.

Incorporating a clicker into your training can greatly enhance your timing, providing your pup with precise cues for receiving rewards. This technique proves particularly effective when teaching commands like “wait,” which can be applied at doors, before entering or exiting the car, during mealtime, and more. Remember to refrain from rewarding undesired behaviours such as jumping up for attention or barking, as this would reinforce those actions and encourage their repetition.