Home

15 Dog Training Rules – The Grounds of a Long Lasting Friendship

A well-trained dog leads a happier and healthier life both for its owner and for itself. Dog Training can cover a range of things, from training of basic obedience, house and toilet training, and more advanced training techniques – these are all essential when raising a dog.

Every family should have a dog, and each dog should have a family but, because the relationship between a dog and his master involves compromise, training becomes a priority – and the following 15 dog training tips should prove very useful in this regard:

Organization

1. Dogs only recognize one master, so once you assume such an important role, make sure you live up to your responsibilities regarding both your dog’s needs and training. You should be the only one who gives him orders, feeds him and cleans after him.

2. Just like people, dogs need stability, so once you bring one home, set up designated spaced for him where he can sleep, eat, play or toilet.

3. Make up a daily schedule (feeding, playing, training) and stick to it. Routine is a dog trainer’s best friend.

Actual Training

4. Teach your dog the meaning of “good” and “bad”. It is probably the most important of these dog training rules, as it is going to affect the entire process. You can do it by associating the words with his actions. Praise him every time he does something good and admonish him when he does not obey, using the same words every time. After a while, he will be able to make the difference.

5. Make sure training instruments are used for their original purpose only. If you use them for punishments, your dog will fear them, and if you play with them, he will not take training seriously.

6. Take your dog out to the park, to places where he can be surrounded by other dogs and animals. It will help him socialize and you will avoid unpleasant surprises.

Dog Psychology

7. Try to avoid strong emotions or conflicts. Dogs are very bad at controlling their reactions, so if they are too excited, they might toilet in the wrong places, while if they are too angry, they might bite the wrong hand.

8. Do not punish your dog with no reason, when you are angry or stressed. He might associate your state with pain and even try to defend himself.

9. Always remember that training takes time and each dog is different. Whether you follow these 15 dog training tips or 50, patience should be a constant ingredient. Results don’t come overnight.

10. Make your training simple and progressive. Start with toilet training and simple commands like “sit”, and continue gradually until your dog reaches its maximum potential.

11. Plan your training according to your dog’s capacity. Exercises involving strength and resistance should only begin after the age of six months.

12. While training, take regular breaks for rest and playing. Remember that, just like children in school, dogs in training need breaks to concentrate better and learn faster.

13. If your dog refuses to obey your commands, do not insist. Remember: sometimes, dogs are like children: you just cannot get them to listen. It does not mean they are slow or deaf, just that they don’t feel like being told what to do.

14. Maintain equilibrium between what you ask your dog to do and what you give in return. Reward his successes and be kind to him, but do not spoil him.

15. Remember that these 15 rules are just guidelines you can use to create your own. Dogs and masters are never alike, so you need to discover what works for you and your dog and apply it.

It is very good that you show interest in your dog’s education, but keep in mind that no matter method of training you follow, results can only be obtained if you gain your dog’s confidence and get to know him.