Every owner knows the feeling of dread when their puppy first follows them into their new home: the undefined, fearful look in their eyes; the humped back and lowered head that signals they don’t want to venture any further. It’s a familiar feeling for all dog owners, but it’s one that can be minimized with training. If you’re anything like us, you probably assumed your pup would quickly pick up some basic commands as soon as they saw what you had hidden in your closet. Instead, you may have found yourself asking “How do I train my dog?” more than once before giving up and admitting defeat. We get it! Training a pup from an adult dog can feel like an uphill battle at times, but there are ways to make the process easier and faster than you think. Here are four tips every owner should know about training their dog.
Be patient and consistent
Training is a process, not an event. It’s important to remember that it will take time to see results, so don’t get frustrated if your dog isn’t picking up a command right away. Instead, take a step back and try to objectively break the process down into its individual steps. This will help you remain patient and focused when you’re dealing with a stubborn dog.
Train with treats and praise
Dogs are naturally curious creatures with an active mind, so they will want to learn new tricks to satisfy their curiosity. It can help to get your pup interested in training early by using treats as a reward. You can also encourage your dog to learn new commands by pairing them with praise. When your pup learns a new trick, make sure to praise them enthusiastically and offer a treat to show your appreciation. This will help your dog learn that learning is always rewarded, and it can be a helpful way to encourage them to work for something even when you don’t have anything to give as a reward.
Play training games
When your pup is not interested in training or is getting frustrated, it can be hard to stay focused. One way to stay engaged is to play games! Whether it’s a game of fetch or a game of hide-and-seek, training games can help your dog stay engaged and focused.
Use a crate for take-out only
While many dog owners will tell you to always leave their dog in the backyard when they’re at work, this isn’t always the best idea. Leaving your pup unsupervised when they’re young may help them learn to be independent and confident, but in the wrong setting they can become anxious and overly protective. Instead, use your training period as a crating opportunity. Put your pup’s bed in the crate, and use this time to practice commands and take breaks. You can also use a crate as a safe haven when you need to leave the house for short periods of time.
Teach your dog a new trick when it’s available
Having a single trick that you focus on training your dog on can help you stay focused when you’re working on a single command. For example, teach your dog to sit, stand, walk on a leash, and so on. This way, you can keep your attention on one thing, rather than several at once.
Take breaks and don’t get frustrated
Training is a patience-testing process, and it can be frustrating when your efforts don’t lead to immediate results. It’s important to remember that training takes time, so don’t get frustrated if your dog doesn’t pick up an immediate command. Instead, take a step back, and try to objectively break the process down into its individual steps. This will help you stay focused, and it will also show your dog that training is an active process, not an event.
Conclusion
Training your dog can be a rewarding experience, but it does require patience and discipline. By following these tips, you can begin to teach your dog basic commands and increase their confidence in new environments.
If your dog is fearful of strangers, try using treats and toys instead of harsh corrections to get them used to being around other people. If your dog is too excitable or hyper, use training games to try to calm them down. You can also get creative with training. Try hiding treats in unexpected places in your home, such as in the ball of paper in your trash can or under your couch to surprise your dog when they’re distracted.
Finally, remember that training is a journey. It’s important to continue to practice new skills with your dog, even if they aren’t interested in it at the moment. Regularly reinforcing positive behavior will help your dog develop good habits, and it will also help you stay engaged in the process of training.