An important part of responsible dog ownership is putting your dog through dog obedience training. You can do this by training the dog at home, or you can seek the help of a professional.
If you seek professional help, you can choose between classes in which other dogs and their owners participate, one-on-one training with a professional, or a step-by-step dog training course online. Of course, one-on-one training will be more expensive, but it is the best choice for dogs with severe behavior problems.
Many local chapters of the SPCA offer dog obedience training classes at a reduced rate. Also, often if you adopt from an SPCA shelter, you will be entitled to even more of a discount on their classes.
Unless you have some prior experience with training, it is a good idea to take dog obedience classes with a professional. These classes will provide the basic training techniques you will need to train your dog throughout life. However, if you do not have a couple of hours to spare going to classes once a week, getting a step-by-step program you can do from home is the way to go.
Here are some things to remember if you do dog obedience training at home.
Establish Yourself as Leader of the Pack
That is not accomplished by yelling and getting upset whenever the dog does something you do not like. Instead, remain calm and in control at all times. Establish a firm tone when you want to get your point across.
If your dog sees you as the pack’s leader, he will obey your every command.
Use One Word Commands
The more simple the commands, the easier it will be for the dog to understand them. For that reason, one-word commands, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “no,” are better than longer commands, such as “sit down” or “don’t touch that.”
Also, keep the commands consistent. For example, don’t switch between “down” and “sit.” Instead, choose one word for each command and always use that.
Reward Instead of Punish
Rewarding good behavior is a much more effective dog obedience training method than punishing bad behavior. For example, if your dog jumps up on you, don’t punish him. Just ignore him. Cross your arms and turn away and give the “sit” command. Only when the dog sits calmly will you reward the behavior by petting him and saying, “good boy.”
By rewarding the behavior you want, you are teaching the dog that he can get what he wants – in this case, attention – by doing what you want him to do.
Also, it is never ok to yell and or hit your dog. Such actions are not effective for training and constitute abuse.
Be Patient
Wait to expect your dog’s obedience training to change his behavior overnight. It is up to you to be consistent with the training for it to be effective.
If, after a few weeks, you notice that your training is not making any difference, it is time to forego your home dog obedience training and enlist the help of an expert.
Obedience training is important for all dogs, but it is especially important if you have a large dog or a dog stronger than you and, therefore, difficult to control.
Lack of dog obedience training can have tragic results. On the other hand, a well-behaved dog will bring you joy for years to come. Sign up for an obedience class if you can’t handle the training.
Doing so will give your dog confidence and make life easier for you.
Dog Trainer