How Do I Train My Dog?

The best way to learn to train a dog is to learn what NOT to do. Here are 5 “What Not To Dos”

1. Yell at Them
▪ Dogs are not mind readers and when you say “NO!” without proper correction, they will learn to ignore you.
▪ Your dog needs to be taught specific commands in order to behave the way you want. For instance, if you don’t want your pet on the furniture then teach them a command cue like “off.” The command cue is a simple word that won’t confuse the dog.
▪ Talking to your dog will confuse them as well. Spending 20 minutes a day working on short, simple commands will yield optimal results.

2. Call Your Dog’s Name Only When They Have Misbehaved
▪ Calling your dog should always be a positive experience. How else do you expect them to want to approach you when called?
▪ If pets get loose or otherwise put themselves in danger, they will not come when called if they associate their name with negative experiences.

3. Neglect Potty Training
▪ No matter what the dog’s size, it should always be potty trained.
▪ Being lax about training doesn’t help. Repetition is key for it “click” inside your pet’s mind where the potty is located.
▪ Pee pads are not a substitute to real potty training.

4. Avoid Teaching Boundaries or Rules
▪ If you don’t believe in structure or discipline, don’t expect your dog to either.
▪ Letting your dog have the run of the house, free feeding, allowing them to jump on strangers and a general lack of leadership will lead to disruptive behavior.
▪ Put your pet to work. They like structure, plus a tired dog usually makes well-behaved one.

5. Use Physical Punishment
▪ Imagine you are faced with your biggest fear and being taught something. Would you be able to concentrate while facing your fear? Most likely not.
▪ Patience, time management, rewards (toys, treats, etc.) and love are the only things that dogs need to be successful in training.