Dog Training Tips for Beginners?
Whether you have a puppy, adolescent or adult dog sometimes you just want to know where to start. A popular question is where to source dog training tips if you are a beginner and newby to all of this. Perhaps you haven't owned a dog or puppy before, haven't trained a dog, have a foster dog or rescue or you have a dog that is very different to that of others you have had in your family previously.
Here are a ten dog and puppy training tips if you are at the start of your journey with a puppy or dog.
Ten things you can do and tips for dog training if you are a beginner:
1.Popping your mobile phone and devices on silent
Make sure your dog and puppy training sessions have your full attention. If you are expecting your dog to focus on you then you need to focus your attention fully to them also. Your dog will notice if you are looking on those devices and mobile phones and you also will not be paying full attention making the session less valuable.
2.Positive Reinforcement
Always positively reward your puppy and doggy. What we mean by positive reinforcement is rewarding your doggy with something valuable that they will love and enjoy so they are reinforced and more likely to provide that wanted behaviour again. A nice treat reward, a play of a favourite toy or even a tummy tickle or stroke are all things they will want to experience again. This makes your dog and puppy training positive and also will strengthen their trust as only amazing things come from you. It isn't positively reinforcing being told “no”, which not only puts no context behind what you are saying, it also isn't reinforcing to be yanked on a lead or told off. It's important to treat your best fur friend with the upmost respect and love as all they will provide is this back to you.
3.Teach your dog life skills that will keep them not only happy, independent but safe
Dog and puppy training is not just about asking your dog to do things and to be well behaved; its ultimately to keep them safe in their environments and provide them with the confidence and independence for a happy and enriching life together with you. It's not all about obedience and having a well behaved dog it's about giving your dog choices and them learning to make the right decisions and being rewarded positively for the right behaviours to set them up to succeed and not practise the unwanted behaviours.
4.Having the right equipment
Like anything in life if you have the right tools you are set up to be comfortable and confident in your dog and puppy training. It also ensures your dog and puppy's safety and comfort while training. A harness that is ‘Y' shaped around the dog's neck and under the chest is not restrictive. ‘T' shaped harnesses aren't ideal if you have a dog that hasn't learnt yet to walk loose lead and if they pull. One with a handle is great for safety and some have an area to attach a light for winter and a clip on the top and front so you can having different training modes if you go to dog training classes. A lead that is anti-slip and not a rope or extendable so you don't get rope burn and also helping with your handling skills. Also a lead that is the right length for walking loose lead and another for recall so you have a longer line is great! Then a treat pouch that you can pop those essential treats in!
5.Be consistent with training with short regular sessions
Making sure you don't train one week and not again for a month or two. Regular short sessions and incorporating these into everyday life is really handy. Doing the training on walks, at meal times, incorporated into the days play or bed time routines.
6.Only train when you and the dog are in the right frame of mind
If one of you isn't in the mood then just have a play session as this is just as key and an important training skill. You both have to be engaged in training as the puppy and dog will feed off your energy and emotions. In addition one of you will feel frustrated or irritated if you aren't in the mood to be doing it and all training for dogs and puppy's needs to be positive so they want to repeat and do it again.
7.Ending the sessions on play
End your training playing or on a high. Something that is reinforcing for your dog and puppy so they know training is not a strict session it's about having fun together.
8.Enrol in puppy, dog or any group classes or if you prefer you can opt for 121's
If you are a beginner dog training classes and one to ones can be really helpful as they can help you get to grips with starting and show you how to proof and progress at the right time. Dogs are like humans we are all different in what motivates us to learn, how long it takes us to learn, therefore its key to learn how to read and understand your dog's so a professional can be really helpful.
9.Only cue once when you are training don't keep repeating your chosen cue
If you are teaching your dog to come back on walks saying “come”when they are off lead. Only say your cue “come” for them to come back once, not to repeat cue's for any behaviour's again and again or it will dilute it. Saying too much can confuse your puppy's and dogs as its too much information and noise for them to process. Saying less and being clear is key in dog and puppy training.
10.Enjoy yourselves that will build a strong bond and ever lasting relationship
Training should be fun for the both of you. If you aren't enjoying it they won't be and vice versa. Training should be enjoyable as should walking and doing life with your fur family member. Again one to ones and classes can really help provide ideas on how to make this happen and how to mix things up so you both stay motivated on your dog training beginners journey. Experts can provide many dog training tips for beginners.
