Dog training can seem overwhelming, but keeping it simple will help it be successful for you and your dog. Setting boundaries and behavioral expectations will also help your dog thrive, maintain a happy and healthy attitude, and approach day-to-day situations with confidence.
Here are three insider tips from a professional dog trainer to help with your training:
- Repetition, repetition, repetition! The key to success when dog training is repetition. Having consistency helps your dog understand commands and behaviors more quickly, and they will always know what to expect from you. Establish routines and make sure any family members and caregivers are on the same page for setting boundaries, using the same commands and rewards, and forming daily habits.
- Make dog training boring. This might sound strange, but hear us out. A dog can become easily distracted by noises, smells, or sights. When you are working on practicing commands or behaviors, set up an environment that is quiet and boring. A calm space will allow your dog to focus and make the training more effective.
- Reward paws on the ground. Dogs love to jump up and greet new people, and it’s easy to fall in love with this behavior when they are a cute and cuddly puppy – but when they are a full-grown adult, it’s much less adorable! Make it an early habit to praise and reward your pup when they are sitting or standing calmly. If they are meeting someone new, ask that person to wait to pet them until your dog is in an appropriate stance. This helps reinforce the acceptable behavior.
If you’re struggling with training, our dog trainers are here to help! Give us a call to find out more about how our dog trainers can help your dog successfully learn commands and behaviors.