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by Suzie Cyrenne January 13, 2020 13 min read
Training is an integral part of dog ownership that allows humans and canines to peacefully coexist. Every four-legged family member should learn some basics, as a bare minimum, for the safety of themselves as well as those around them.
But whether you stick with dog obedience training or progress to something advanced like agility training, keep in mind that it’s about so much more than you teaching your dog some tricks.
When you work with your dog to improve his behavior, you’re learning how to understand him, build his confidence, and it’s a wonderful bonding experience for the two of you.
Since we don’t speak the same language as our canine companions, there are some common training mistakes that dog owners make (which should be avoided).
That’s why it’s essential to consult with a professional dog trainer who can teach you to understand your dog’s specific behavior and better communicate with him.
(Remember: When it comes to training an animal, the training starts with you!)
Although every pet should be evaluated on an individual basis, there are some important dog training methods that every pet parent should know.
We asked 169 professional pet trainers from around the world to share their best dog training secrets, tips, and advice. Read on to see their answers below!
Maybe you’ve begun to plan how to train your dog before you’ve even brought one home. If this is the case, we want to say … good for you!
It’s never too early to start preparing, as proper training can make or break a happy household with a pooch.
If you haven’t picked a pet just yet, make sure to do some breed research (even if you’re planning on rescuing a mutt!) and consider the following advice of training experts.
“Be honest about what kind of lifestyle you have and then get a dog who will naturally thrive in that environment,” advises Ayelet Berger of Sabra Dog Training. For instance, “If you're a person who works a lot or you like to stay in and watch movies, getting an Australian shepherd would not be wise, as they need an exceptional amount of exercise and mental stimulation.”
In other words, a high-energy dog may not be ideal for homebodies, however, there are plenty of breeds that are happy to snuggle on the couch with minimal exercise — and vice-versa!
It’s also important to consider how a canine will fit into your living space. A smaller, low-energy dog may be better for apartment dwellers, a large dog will need square footage in a home and yard, and a herding breed, like an Aussie, would be happiest with lots of room to roam outdoors.
Yes, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to bringing home a pet.
Not sure where to begin your research? This is a great question to ask the pros.
“Get a trainer's advice before taking a dog home,” advises Gavin Ehringer of Ohana Canine Training of Colorado. “They can really help in selecting the right dog, which helps ensure a better life for you and your pet.”
We may not speak the same language as our four-legged friends, but understanding a bit about their thought process and body language is essential when it comes to communicating with them.
“Your dog is navigating a world they don't understand and behaving the only way they know how to behave ... like a dog,” Ursa Acree of Canis Major Dog Training points out.
Nikki Walden of Leader of the Pack Dog Services agrees.“Honour your dog for being a dog and don't expect him to be anything he is not,” she says. “Understanding dog psychology is key.”
One of the key components of this is understanding your dog’s body language and observing how he reacts in certain situations, including his training lessons.
“Being able to read your dog is incredibly important,” says Erin Moore of Pawsitive Connection Dog Training. For instance, “A wagging tail doesn't always mean ‘I'm happy or friendly.’ A dog flipped on their back can sometimes mean, ‘Please give me a belly rub’ [or can] sometimes mean, ‘Please don't hurt me, please don't touch me, please stay away from me.’ A dog barking and lunging while pulling forward on leash can sometimes mean, ‘I'm terrified.’ A puppy biting can sometimes be normal teething and sometimes mean, ‘I hate it when you pick me up.’ A dog who destroys things when left alone can sometimes mean, ‘I'm bored,’ ‘I need to potty,’ [or] ’I am incredibly anxious.’”
She continues, “Misinterpreting what they are saying in these, and many other cases, can have some pretty heavy consequences. Working with someone who can help you translate and understand your dog means they have a better life, you have a better relationship, and everyone is happier.”
All in all, training is not just about teaching your companion good behavior; it’s also a wonderful way to bond!
You’ll get to know your pal better than ever before, like his reactions, mannerisms, and the best dog training treats or toys that motivate him.
“Think of training as a way for you and your dog to reach a better understanding of each other,” advises Ann Davidson of Canine Therapy Corps. “Pay attention to what your dog likes and dislikes, and use that to your mutual benefit. If you're using treats to train, and your dog isn't that food motivated, you likely won't succeed. Try something different, like play time, toys, or freedom ([i.e.] access to the outdoors or time off leash) until you figure out what your dog responds to.”
Further, when you have a strong bond with your pooch, he’ll be even happier to work with you. “Your relationship with your dog is key to having a dog that listens to you, no matter what,” says Natasja Lewis DipCABT of Nightsabre Dog Training.
In short, negative reinforcement means scolding bad behaviors in hopes your hound won’t be “naughty” again, while positive reinforcement encourages good behaviors so he’ll want to keep pleasing you.
While you shouldn’t let your pup get away with inappropriate behavior like incessant barking or jumping up on guests (more below), positive reinforcement, overall, is much more effective.
Think of it this way: The goal is to redirect unwanted behavior rather than punish it.
Examples of positive enforcement include treats, praise, toys, play time, belly scratches, snuggles, or anything that makes your dog happy!
Another rule of thumb: disciplining your dog after he’s done something wrong will only make him confused and anxious.
“Dogs live in the present so don't scold past mistakes,” explains Jo Wood of Doggy Dilemmas Canine Behaviour & Training Solutions. She shares an example. “If a dog has chewed the house, don’t tell him off when you get home, as each time you leave he'll anticipate a scolding so will chew because he's anxious.”
In other words, don't scold bad behavior; redirect it only if you catch him in the act.
First and foremost, every animal should be evaluated on an individual basis by a professional trainer.
One of the biggest reasons for this is to pinpoint why your dog is exhibiting undesirable behaviors, which can differ from dog to dog.
Without this step, you may accidentally train your pup incorrectly, leading to confusion and frustration for both of you.
Miriam Finn of To Be Sure Pet Services shares an example of how this misunderstanding can effect both pet owner and pooch. “I went to a lady who said her dog wouldn’t sit on command,” she recalls. “She thought her dog was just not very bright. What the dog did was sit and then immediately stand up for the treat.”
She continues, “What the dog thought the owner meant when he heard ‘sit’ was to put his bottom on the ground for half a second, and then stand. Both dog and owner had different ideas of what ‘sit’ meant.”
So, how did this misunderstanding come about?
“What had happened was the owner had rewarded her dog too late, as the dog stood up rather than [stay] in a sit position,” she concludes. “Also, being a small dog, this can often happen as the owner needs to bend down to the dog to give the treat, and small dog will want to come up to get it. I showed her how to time her reward correctly and she saw how clever her dog really was, as he was sitting like a pro!”
It’s important to keep in mind that animals don’t always interpret the world (and our language) quite the same way we do.
And don’t forget that the root cause of your dog’s behavior, whether it’s fear, anxiety, excitement, boredom, desire for attention, etc. can totally change how you train!
Still, there are some general techniques you should know. Below, check out some dog trainer-approved tips to get you started on your journey.
“Do not use your dog's name in a negative context,” says Claudia Black-Kalinsky of Train This Dog, LLC “If a dog hears, 'Sparky, NO!' 'Sparky, BAD!' ‘Sparky Stop!' ‘Sparky Quiet!,’ when you say, 'Sparky Come!' Sparky is going to think, 'There is that word that means I'm in trouble, I'm outta here!"
Black-Kalinsky continues, “I don't use a name when I tell my dog to stop something. ‘Leave it!' lets my dog know that the dead squirrel or trash or jogger is not theirs. 'Enough' lets my dog know they are being overly exuberant. [So, you saying] ‘SPARKY!’ must mean, 'I'm thinking about you and it's going to be great. Put your attention on me!’”
As mentioned, you need to teach your companion that obeying commands will always have a positive result. Never call your canine’s name or tell him to come if your plan is to punish or scold him!
Dogs jump for a variety of reasons, so the first step is to learn why your dog is jumping in the first place (a trainer will help you with this). Here are some general tips:
Just like “come,” “stay” is a basic but important command that can ultimately keep your dog safe. For instance, a solid “stay” can prevent your pooch from bolting from the car, out the door, or across the street.
Like with most dog behaviors, there are so many reasons dogs bark, so you should enlist the help of a professional trainer to help you so you can address it correctly. Some basic advice:
When it comes to leash training, the goal is for your dog to walk calmly by your side. Since most dogs are excited to go on walks, rambunctious behavior is a common issue.
Luckily, there are plenty of tools out there to help. In addition to training, ask a professional for the best dog training leash and/or dog training collar or harness to safely and effectively guide your pooch.
Crate training is controversial amongst some pet parents and trainers, but many feel it’s the safest option for dogs who are home alone. This is especially true if they’re prone to inappropriate chewing or eating things that could be dangerous.
Most pet professionals agree that when it comes to having a well-adjusted pal, socialization is key. This helps with confidence, the ability to meet and get along with new people and animals, and can lead to better behavior when it’s time for off leash training.
While it’s possible to socialize older animals, it usually requires more effort. Especially in the case of an older rescue pooch, your best bet for learning how to socialize a dog is, of course, to hire a trainer!
Elice Shelton of Applewoods Dog Training shares some basic advice on socialization:
As you probably know, dog training treats are often used as positive reinforcement in dog training, but when it comes to keeping good behaviors consistent, you may not always have a snack (or toy, or a few minutes of play time) available.
That’s why Mary Thompson of Happy Hound University mentions it’s important to “fade the lure” over time.
“What this means is that they teach the dog behaviors using food lures (such as putting a piece of food in front of a dog's nose and luring them into a sit, then giving them the cookie) but never teach the dog to sit without the cookie present,” she says. “[This] creates a dog who will only perform the behavior when ‘bribed’; this is easily fixed using positive methods.”
As you train over time, start rewarding your dog in ways that are always available to you, such as head scratches and lots of excited praise.
It’ll take some more practice, but don’t worry — your canine will learn to perform simply because it pleases you!
Just like humans, every pooch has his own personality, which is heavily influenced by past experiences as well as genetic traits.
While there are some basic training rules that should generally be followed (like positive reinforcement, redirecting instead of punishing bad behavior, etc.), the key to training your dog effectively — and in a way he understands — is to get to the root of the behavior you’d like redirected.
That’s why hiring a professional dog trainer, who’s an expert in dog psychology and communication, is the best way to learn how to teach your dog. (That’s right, it’s a learning experience for you, too!)
After all, it’s well worth the investment; think of all the money you’ll save on chewed furniture … or worse, emergency vet bills!
At the end of the day, pets are still animals learning to live in a human world. Training is key for everyone’s happiness and safety, and you’ll be able to bond with your buddy like never before.
Ready to learn more about your dog’s behavior? Check out our next article on dog body language and how to decode it!
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HOMEOPATH & CO-FOUNDER OF ZUMALKA
Suzie Cyrenne is a certified Homeopath with over ten years of experience creating natural products for cats and dogs. She co-founded eCommerce brand, Zumalka in 2013 with her husband Matt and is on a mission to help thousands of animals naturally improve their quality of life and shares her experience on their popular YouTube show. Hence, she created a line of high-performance natural pet supplements to target the root cause of common health issues.
Suzie was influenced by her mother-in-law, who practiced homeopathy and made natural remedies from home. After being on prescriptions for many years for a skin issue without resolution, she wanted to try something new. Her problems were cleared up within a few months of dedication to a better diet supplemented by homeopathic remedies. That's when she knew that homeopathy worked! During this process, she wondered why there weren't better options for pets and soon created a popular line of natural remedies that have helped thousands of pets across the USA.
When she’s not traveling or reading the next personal development book, you can find Suzie snowboarding, working out, or enjoying a daily hike.
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