Training your new dog or puppy is an important part of dog ownership! Dog training helps your dog learn good habits and live a more fulfilled life. A dog that you can trust to make good decisions is a dog that is easy and enjoyable to live with. This guide is a great place to start on your training journey, but for more in depth basic obedience training or advanced off leash dog training, local dog trainers near you can help guide your pup on the path to becoming a well-behaved companion. Up N Atom Dog Training Cleveland would be happy to help you if you are in the Northeast Ohio area.
Use a Positive Reinforcement-Based Training System.
Understanding and appropriately applying all four quadrants of learning is key when trying to teach advanced dog training cues. Positive reinforcement should be the building blocks set when it comes to successfully training your dog. Experienced dog trainers know how to use all quadrants of learning properly, but should always teach using positive reinforcement, only layering over positive punishment to skills that your dog knows and understands. Our dog trainers at Up N Atom Dog Training are well-versed in (and very passionate about) balanced dog training, which begins by using a liberal foundation of positive reinforcement, then uses negative reinforcement, negative punishment, and positive punishment as your dog progresses in their training.
Learn How To Play With Your Dog.
It sounds simple, but properly playing with a dog is an art-form in itself. Dogs who want to tug, chase, and fetch NEED those outlets to be happy, confident dogs. Many dog owners lack the skillset to really encourage their dogs chase and tug the way nature does; learning how to properly play will give your dog a great outlet, encourage bonding with you, and allows you to use a variety of rewards in your training. If you have a dog who wants to play tug, you need this DVD in your doggy education toolbox: The Power of Playing Tug With Your Dog
Start With the Basics.
The very first thing we work on with new dogs is engagement. Engagement training encourages a dog to CHOOSE to pay attention, rather than us begging for it. Dog training is much more difficult when you’re starting with a dog who doesn’t want to look at you! Once you have some focus, but before you move on to more complex skills, take time to really focus on the basics: name recognition, wait at the door, sit and down. Then, you can start more advanced skills such as walking on a loose leash, coming when called, and bed-stay. Skipping out on important basics will make things much harder when your dog has developed bad habits!
Create Realistic Goals for Your Dog’s Training Progress
Creating realistic goals will help you and your pup progress in a timely manner. It is important to remember that teaching your dog or puppy new commands can take time, so don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than expected. Overloading your dog with more tasks when they are not ready for them has the potential to make them confused or frustrated, and can cause them to give up all together. So, start off with simple commands, master them in areas of low distraction, and then gradually increase the distance, distraction, and duration of the tasks as they get better.
Practice Your Training During Walks and Other Activities.
Walks, playtime and other day-to-day activities are major opportunities for practicing your dog’s training. For example, instead of just letting your pup run free at the park, try asking them to “sit” or “down” for their favorite toy, and then throw the toy when they do so. If you’re taking a hike, practice “place” on tree stumps, and work on coming when called (on a long line, of course!). Inserting training drills in your every day life not only keeps things interesting but helps your do anticipate their obedience commands anywhere and anytime.
