Training a dog is not a hard task but many people think that it is quite difficult and even believe that dogs are not trainable because they do not understand human language. They are wrong in this aspect because dogs are smart, trainable and if you apply some simple rules of patient, persistent, and consistency, your dog will make you proud.
If you are working with a certain breeds of dog or pedigree offspring that has good genetic, training can be a fun experience.
There are a few elements of training per below:-
Gauging of success – This is the first criteria to establish on the duration and pattern of training. You need to set a specific time in a day for a specific window like 15-20 mins maximum per session and repeat twice or three times a day as a reinforcement. Repeat the same command in the next few days to weeks consecutively until the command or skill are inculcated and retained by the dog.
Start off with the essential basic command and gradually add on to any special tricks or skills. Introduce new command or skill one at a time after you have successfully passed on the basic command or desired skills. It is also a good practice to do a revision of what have been learned throughout the week to refresh their memory.
If your dog is taking too long to pick up a certain skill, or maybe difficult for it to learn a certain skills, or if the dog is unable to remember the skills taught to him or her, it usually means that your technique needs some improvement because the dog does not understand you. Google or Youtube the subject matter you are of interest and you will find some useful tips that will help your delivery method and at some point, you dog will get it. There are two aspects of becoming a good dog trainer, your skill, attitude and aptitude and certainly the dedication.
Early initiation is the key – It is easier to teach and mold the behavior of a puppy when it is still young just like a human being. Puppies can be trained as little as three months old. It is not true that young puppies under six months old is difficult to train. The best time to start training a puppy would be when it starts learning the basic life skills that pass on from the mother. The behavior would become part of the dog’s personality. Therefore, start off the basic command like potty training, come and sit as early as possible. My favorite command is “NO” and the dog can associate that word to “Wrong” in whatever they are not suppose to do.
Give Rewards for every corrections – Attention is the biggest reward to a dog. They desire love and attention from their owner. Praise and affection are equally important besides treats. On the contrary, the most upsetting punishment to a dog is also the deprivation of attention.
If you dog learns a specific good behavior, an immediate reward is necessary because their attention span is very short. This is to make sure you are associating the reward to “that” specific behavior before they move on to another routine. Petting the dog lovingly, praising the dog with happy positive tone and followed by a treat is the best reward in training. Even though the dog might not understand the word you are saying but they have a strong instinct and ability to sense your emotions.
Likewise, if you dog misbehaves, correct it on the spot not after 15 seconds later so that, they can make a connection to what they have done to deserve the punishment. Usually a strong tone of singular word like “No” is clear to associate with everything that is wrong. Locking them up in the kennel or crate right after is a strong reinforcement of depriving attention as well.
I strongly disagree to hitting a dog when it comes to correction or as a form of punishment. The dog does not understand that being hit is a form of punishment. They will assume that you are just being violent. If the dog run away and later came back to the house, you need to praise them for coming back but not angry at them for running away earlier because their thought process does not work like human. On your part, you better find a better way of restraining its movement rather than hitting the dog.
Be Patience – You will not be successful as a dog trainer without patient. A combat approach training to a dog is a misconception. Those trainer who shower the dogs with kindness and soft approach works better in this area.
Be Persistence – This goes together with patience. Using the necessary reinforcements and repeated illustration of a desire command or skills is mandatory.
Be Consistent – One of the worst thing you can do in dog training is sending mixed signals because they get confuse easily and it will become very hard for them to catch on. Applying the same routine consistently will make them associate the right cause of action.
If all the above fail -My recommendation is to take the puppy to a basic training class operated by a local professional dog trainer. This will give you an idea where to begin with, how to connect with your dog thought process and later, you can carry on further from there.
Good Luck!!