We all love our dogs. Whether they are a steadfast and noble beast, like something out of a Jack London novel, or a badly behaved but lovable little monster, like Marley from the movie “Marley and Me,” the bond between a pet and his master is undeniable, of course, most of us would like to end up with Lassie rather than Marley, but not all of us are that lucky.
An ill-behaved dog can be an endless source of frustration for the owners. They love their animal but can’t take it anywhere (dog will run off), can’t buy expensive furniture (dog pees everywhere), and can’t even invite their friends over (dog gets too excited or aggressive with strange humans). In these types of situations, the only solution is dog training.
Dog training requires time, patience, and a little prior information. Since most of us are short on time and have very little knowledge when it comes to training dogs, here are three easy-to-follow tips to make your dog training sessions go a lot smoother:
1. Be patient and considerate when obedience training your dog.
Dogs are notorious for their short attention spans. A dog will find it very difficult to focus on whatever new command you are babbling about; he will be more interested in running after the squirrel it saw in the park or investigating the flavor of your brand-new Italian loafers. The only way to get your dog to focus is to bribe it with little treats. Have a plentiful supply of treats your dog will find irresistible, and hand them out judiciously whenever your dog learns (or at least tries to learn) something new.
2. Consistency is the secret to successful dog training.
You have to be consistent and logical with your commands. Dogs have limited reasoning skills and memory; they do not process information as we do. Therefore, you will only get your dog to learn anything through constant repetition and positive reinforcement. This can be in the form of hugs, praise, and treats.
Start your dog training with simpler commands like ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘come.’ Once your dog masters these three, you can move on to the more challenging ones. If your dog has difficulty learning one command, be persistent and keep at it until he finally gets it. If you jump from command to command or try to teach your dog multiple commands at once, you’ll confuse the poor beast.
3. Dogs are pack hunters and are used to following a leader.
To make your dog training effective, ensure you are the pack leader in your relationship with your pet. Once he accepts you as the boss, he will be more inclined to listen to you and follow your lead. Remember, however, that being the boss in this relationship does not mean you have to be harsh and overbearing. If you are abusive or violent towards your dog, you will end up with an animal too terrified to learn anything. Instead, be gentle, confident, and, most importantly, loving toward your dog.
Training your dog is easier than some people make it out to be. Patience, time, and a lot of love are all needed to transform your Marley into a Lassie.
Dog Trainer