Dog Training Basics

Dog training is the process of teaching your pet basic commands. It also involves teaching your dog not to chew or rip up anything in the house, and manners like walking calmly on a leash.

Different experts prefer different training methods. However, no one method is right all the time. Click the Visit Website to learn more.

Dogs need to be taught what to do and not do in order to behave well. Different trainers employ a variety of training methods, with positive reinforcement and force-free techniques being the most common. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding good behavior with food treats, toys, petting and verbal praise. This encourages your dog to perform the desired action again in order to receive the reward.

Force-free training methods (also called balanced or relationship-based training) avoid punishment of undesirable behaviors, and focus instead on changing the environment to set up the dog for success. They train the dog to understand its owner, build trust and develop a deep bond.

Science-based training is rooted in an in-depth understanding of dogs, their nature and behavior. It uses scientifically proven techniques such as clicker training, positive reinforcement and classical conditioning. This training method is continually being improved based on the results of research done by animal behaviorists to truly understand dogs.

The trainer instructs the handler to select a quiet, familiar location for training sessions, and reduce distractions such as TV, visitors or food. This will make it easier for the dog to concentrate on learning new commands.

Positive reinforcement uses a “clicker” or other marker (such as a tongue click, whistle, marker word or thumbs up gesture) to communicate with the dog that her behavior made something good happen, such as getting a treat. The “clicker” bridges the delay between her behavior and the delivery of the reinforcer to buy the dog time to recognize that her good behavior earned her the reward.

Negative reinforcement (also known as negative punishment) is the use of unpleasant stimulus to discourage undesirable behavior. For example, if your dog jumps up on you, the trainer may teach you to turn away from them, and then reward them with a healthy wet dog food treat when they lie down. Negative punishment can also include a leash jerk and yelling at the dog.

Some trainers rely on a combination of methods, and are considered to be in the middle of the camp that includes both positive reinforcement and balanced training. For example, the trainer may ask the dog to demonstrate a basic command such as sitting, then work to train it to do that in a more challenging environment, such as with kids or other animals present.

Basic Commands

The “drop it” command teaches your dog to let go of objects in their mouth, which helps prevent them from chewing on items that could be dangerous or make them sick. Start by giving them a toy or object they like to hold in their mouth and saying ‘drop it’ in a calm but assertive tone. When they drop the item, give them a treat to reinforce this behavior. Gradually add more difficult objects to this exercise until your dog is able to drop whatever you ask them to without hesitation.

The ‘leave it’ or ‘no’ command is helpful for preventing your pup from sniffing and licking things that they shouldn’t, such as chocolate bars or medication. It’s important to teach this command as soon as you see your paw pal getting into something they shouldn’t, or the consequences can be severe.

‘heel’ is another basic command that is essential for control while walking your dog. This will keep them from running ahead of you or pulling on the leash. Begin this training by having your dog on their leash and sitting them beside you. Say’ready’ and look at them, which should get their attention. Then, slowly move forward with them while encouraging them to stay in a heel position. Once they are in the heel position, give them a treat and continue this training throughout the day.

‘stay’ is a good command to teach your dog in situations where you want them to remain in one position, such as sitting or lying down. It is also helpful when you need them to remain in a certain position for grooming or veterinary examinations. Begin this training by letting your dog sniff the treat you are holding in your hand. Once they stop sniffing and licking the first treat, give them the second treat and say the’stay’ command to enforce the desired behavior. Eventually, you will only need to use the command when you want your dog to remain in a specific position. This is called the ‘capturing method’ of training and is an effective way to train a dog.

Advanced Commands

Dogs can learn advanced commands, such as “heel” and “stay,” by building upon the foundation they’ve established with basic obedience skills. These advanced commands help dogs develop discipline and self-control, as well as focus their attention. They also make it easier to keep dogs safe in distracting situations, like running after a squirrel or bolting out the front door when someone rings the doorbell.

When teaching advanced commands, it’s important to reduce distractions as much as possible. This means selecting a training time when you won’t be interrupted by visitors or a TV show and training in an environment that is familiar to the dog. This helps them focus on you and your requests, making it easier for them to learn new behaviors.

It’s also a good idea to have all family members who will work with the dog agree on a specific verbal and visual cue for each command. This way, everyone will be on the same page and the dog won’t get confused when one person yells at them to “drop it” but another person lets them hang off the couch.

Another advanced command that’s essential for keeping your pup safe is the “leave it” command. This will teach them to stop sniffing or picking up things they shouldn’t, like a strange leaf on a walk or the sandwich from your plate. To train this, hold a treat in your hand and say “leave it.” If they leave the treat alone, mark this behavior with a clicker or verbal marker (like “yes” or “click”) and reward them. Repeat this with different items around the house until they understand what this behavior means.

Finally, a dog that comes when called makes every situation, from outings to the dog park to scary moments like running out the front door, safer and more controllable. To train this, start by saying your dog’s name and then giving them a treat whenever they come to you voluntarily. Over time, increase the distance and duration of this exercise until they will run to you when they hear their name, even in distracting environments.

Potty Training

Puppies need to be constantly monitored for signs that they need to eliminate. Most puppies will sniff, circle, whine, or take a restless walk around the house just before eliminating. When you see these signs, calmly lead them to their outdoor potty spot and use a verbal cue like “go pee” or “go poo.” Once they have eliminated outside, immediately reward them with treats or play. This will help to establish a positive association between going outside and having to do their business.

It’s also important to make sure that your dog is on a regular feeding schedule and has water available at all times. These factors will influence how frequently they need to go outside. It’s a good idea to keep a chart or notebook to record when and where your puppy potties, so that you can notice patterns and predict when they might need to be taken outside again.

Once you’ve established a toileting routine, you can gradually start to allow your dog more freedom in the house. However, it’s best to only allow your puppy to roam freely in one room of the home, such as a bathroom or kitchen, while you supervise them. This will help to ensure that they don’t have any accidents in the house and helps prevent them from getting confused.

Accidents in the house can be difficult to deal with, especially if your dog is already on a solid routine of going out for potty breaks throughout the day. Never punish a puppy for having an accident in the house. Punishment can be scary for young dogs and can create a negative association with toileting indoors. Instead, respond amiably but firmly. For example, say “no” or give a sharp bark to get their attention. Then, gently guide them back to their potty area and make sure they eliminate before allowing them to return inside.

Taking your dog out to their potty spot at the same times each day will reinforce their toileting habits and reduce the chances of accidents. For example, take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after breakfast, a few times during the day, before bed and right before you leave for work or school. If you have to be away from home for long periods of time, ask a friend or family member to potty train your dog for you.