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Consistent training is a must if you expect to ever have a reliably trained dog. Repetition is the key. Without a doubt the number one question I have gotten from people training their dogs themselves is, how do you get them to listen to you? After a bit of investigating on my part I find out that they are simply trying to teach too much.
Solution: Break your training sessions down into 5-10-15 minute segments. Two or three times per day. This will help you and your dog progress faster.
Mistake #2: Being impatient.
Let's face it. Dog training is something that does not happen over night. It takes time, repetition and most of all, patience. You can't expect your dog to learn how to sit, stay, down, get a cola out of your fridge, and all that in 10 minutes. It's simply asking too much. Yet, everyday I see people get so frustrated they almost resort to brutal behavior with their dogs. Simply because they didn't sit the first they were ever asked to sit.
Solution: Take it slow. Don't expect too much of your dog. Set them up to succeed and not to fail. Always end on a positive not. Make sure you are upbeat and happy. Be calm. If you find yourself getting frustrated. Do one more repetition, let the dog succeed. Then quit training until you have calmed down. Come back to it later.
Mistake #3: Not working with the dog
What I mean by this is...approaching training like, "You better listen, or else!" That mind set is self-defeating and honestly, if you think about it, would you be able to learn something new in that environment? I highly doubt it. The days of pain = avoidance = obedience are basically out. Working with your dog and being proactive to possible problems is in.
Solution: Let your dog learn. Forcing the behavior, while they might do it, does not instill a positive process in them. In other words, yes, they might down if they learned it through dominance. But letting them learn that downing when you ask results in a positive, good feeling, will prove to give you a more reliable down.
Mistake #4: Not having an open mind.
When I speak with people who are having problems training their dogs. I always investigate further to boil down the problem. More times than not, someone has either (A) went to a training class and is using their methods or (B) bought a book, surfed the web, or some other method of gathering information on how to best train their dog. In their pursuit for the best method they lose focus. In short, there isn't one single method of dog training that works all the time every time.
Solution: Be open minded. Use different techniques. Always keep you and your dogs health in the forefront of your mind. Pick techniques you are comfortable with and aid in developing a bond between you and your canine. Remember, training should be fun. It's your job to make it interesting for your canine pal too.
Mistake #5: Making training a chore.
Tedious, mundane, boring, hard, frustrating, irate, and other words have been spoken by dog owners about their dog training efforts. Making dog training a chore or a job is a sure way of killing any hopes you will ever have a reliably trained dog.
Solution: Make it fun. Change it up. Use your mind. Be creative. Don't stick to one type of training. Don't put yourself in a mundane area. We're not training obedience champs here. Just basic manners. Find interesting ways to reward your dog. Teach new tricks often and incorporate basic obedience into that. For example, teach your dog to get your something like a paper or magazine. Watch those paper cuts! (kidding). Bottom line, make it fun and interesting and both you and your and dog will make more progress.
In Conclusion:
Sometimes all you need to train your dog is love, respect, and tolerance. Remember, they are dogs. Fairly simple creatures who thrive on love and care. Take your time, be patient, make it fun and I guarantee you will see some changes. Training doesn't happen all at once. It happens in little pieces over the years you spend with your canine pal.
Here is a tip I hear from lots of different trainers...Before you get your next pet. 1st get a nice solid rolled up newspaper. Then Everytime you pet does something wrong...HIT YOURSELF SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HEAD with it!!! Saying I will do better next time.
Consistent training is a must if you expect to ever have a reliably trained dog. Repetition is the key. Without a doubt the number one question I have gotten from people training their dogs themselves is, how do you get them to listen to you? After a bit of investigating on my part I find out that they are simply trying to teach too much.
Solution: Break your training sessions down into 5-10-15 minute segments. Two or three times per day. This will help you and your dog progress faster.
Mistake #2: Being impatient.
Let's face it. Dog training is something that does not happen over night. It takes time, repetition and most of all, patience. You can't expect your dog to learn how to sit, stay, down, get a cola out of your fridge, and all that in 10 minutes. It's simply asking too much. Yet, everyday I see people get so frustrated they almost resort to brutal behavior with their dogs. Simply because they didn't sit the first they were ever asked to sit.
Solution: Take it slow. Don't expect too much of your dog. Set them up to succeed and not to fail. Always end on a positive not. Make sure you are upbeat and happy. Be calm. If you find yourself getting frustrated. Do one more repetition, let the dog succeed. Then quit training until you have calmed down. Come back to it later.
Mistake #3: Not working with the dog
What I mean by this is...approaching training like, "You better listen, or else!" That mind set is self-defeating and honestly, if you think about it, would you be able to learn something new in that environment? I highly doubt it. The days of pain = avoidance = obedience are basically out. Working with your dog and being proactive to possible problems is in.
Solution: Let your dog learn. Forcing the behavior, while they might do it, does not instill a positive process in them. In other words, yes, they might down if they learned it through dominance. But letting them learn that downing when you ask results in a positive, good feeling, will prove to give you a more reliable down.
Mistake #4: Not having an open mind.
When I speak with people who are having problems training their dogs. I always investigate further to boil down the problem. More times than not, someone has either (A) went to a training class and is using their methods or (B) bought a book, surfed the web, or some other method of gathering information on how to best train their dog. In their pursuit for the best method they lose focus. In short, there isn't one single method of dog training that works all the time every time.
Solution: Be open minded. Use different techniques. Always keep you and your dogs health in the forefront of your mind. Pick techniques you are comfortable with and aid in developing a bond between you and your canine. Remember, training should be fun. It's your job to make it interesting for your canine pal too.
Mistake #5: Making training a chore.
Tedious, mundane, boring, hard, frustrating, irate, and other words have been spoken by dog owners about their dog training efforts. Making dog training a chore or a job is a sure way of killing any hopes you will ever have a reliably trained dog.
Solution: Make it fun. Change it up. Use your mind. Be creative. Don't stick to one type of training. Don't put yourself in a mundane area. We're not training obedience champs here. Just basic manners. Find interesting ways to reward your dog. Teach new tricks often and incorporate basic obedience into that. For example, teach your dog to get your something like a paper or magazine. Watch those paper cuts! (kidding). Bottom line, make it fun and interesting and both you and your and dog will make more progress.
In Conclusion:
Sometimes all you need to train your dog is love, respect, and tolerance. Remember, they are dogs. Fairly simple creatures who thrive on love and care. Take your time, be patient, make it fun and I guarantee you will see some changes. Training doesn't happen all at once. It happens in little pieces over the years you spend with your canine pal.
All very good points. I'll add another. Never (EVER) let a dog do something that you don't want him to do without correcting him even though you think it was cute at the time. I.E. Begging at the diner table, jumping on furniture, jumping on people and yes even that little behavior that some dogs do to peoples legs even though you think it's hysterical.
And of course be dominant over the dog. Can't stand the people with the tiny lap dogs that bite and growl at you for just sitting on the couch, then the owner doesn't do anything or thinks it's cute b/c it is a little dog.
All very good points. I'll add another. Never (EVER) let a dog do something that you don't want him to do without correcting him even though you think it was cute at the time. I.E. Begging at the diner table, jumping on furniture, jumping on people and yes even that little behavior that some dogs do to peoples legs even though you think it's hysterical.
Very good add on...
I tell my friends/family whenever I correct my dogs from doing something they shouldn't have been...please don't encourage them by 'laughing' at what they were doing or make a fuss and say ''it was so cute"...it's mixed signals and the dog will never learn right from wrong.
Always be in control of your dog and never show fear or intimidation.
Dogs are very keen as to picking up on those things.
And of course be dominant over the dog. Can't stand the people with the tiny lap dogs that bite and growl at you for just sitting on the couch, then the owner doesn't do anything or thinks it's cute b/c it is a little dog.
Oh, I HATE that... they always say "isn't it cute how protective Snoopy is of me??" NO, it's not cute, dammit. I love that my dog would give his life for mine - but if he ever got aggressive without reason, he'd be in big trouble.
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Great tips for those new to dog training and great reminders for those of us with previous training experience! Thanks!
I love that my dog would give his life for mine - but if he ever got aggressive without reason, he'd be in big trouble.
