Dog Training Tips – Do’s And Dont’s

Even though our adorable animal friends might be a pain at times, dogs provide us with so much joy and satisfaction. Here are nine ways to train your dog, whether it’s your own or one you borrow, to get past common canine quirks.

First-aid tip: encourage jumping up.

Some dogs are so excited to see you that they will jump up to meet you. When this happens, turn your head aside and extend a greeting until they have subsided a bit. Many dog owners find it hard to break their dogs of this habit because they praise it with an equally enthusiastic greeting. However, this behaviour can also be rewarded.

Allow the dog to make contact as the second piece of advice.

Like certain humans, some dogs are acutely aware of “stranger danger.” When you first meet them, let them sniff your hand or come up to you before attempting to pet them.

Avoid making direct eye contact in tip #3.

Try staring into their eyes when you first meet a new person because many dogs find this intimidating or hostile.

How to Stop Your Dog From Pulling on the Lead (Tip 4)

While many dogs are great at walking on the lead, the “About Face” is a valuable tactic for those who tend to tug.

In tip #5, discover your dog’s sweet spot.

Most dogs have a “sweet spot” near the base of their tails where they will enjoy a good scratch if they get to know you. This is a great way to make new friends rapidly.

6th tip: Get close to them.

Smaller dog breeds will appreciate you stooping down and approaching them at eye level. The dog might try to frighten you by hunching over them, so it’s better to avoid doing so.

A single command should be given at a time.

Simplicity and clarity are essential when training or issuing orders. Make a point of only giving instructions once. If you provide the same command repeatedly to your dog, such as “Sit! Fido, sit! Sit! Sit!” you might be able to train them to wait to respond when you ask them. If the dog ignores the initial command, show them the appropriate response without saying it out loud. Use constructive reinforcement as necessary. To encourage a dog to drop into a “sit,” for instance, direct a reward from in front of the nose to above the head and the direction of the tail.

Tip 8: At first, avoid touching your face.

Some dogs dislike having their faces touched by strangers because they might have formerly developed inflamed lips or ears due to having these areas stroked. When the dog is ready for you to feel its face (they frequently indicate this with a nudge), a clever technique is to pat beneath the jaw rather than above the head, as a hand suddenly falling from the sky could give some dogs nightmares. Never try to pat the head of a dog you don’t know; this is a great habit to instil in kids.

Make sure your dog receives enough stimulation (tip 9).

Some dogs appreciate the constant stimulation, but sometimes your schedules don’t coincide. When you don’t have time for your usual long walk or play session right now, please give them a Kong toy that has been filled with wet food or peanut butter. They’ll pass the time by drinking every last drop of amusement for hours. Ensure to exclude the Kong filling from the dog’s daily calorie allowance to prevent overeating.

Use this advice, whether for your own or a loaned dog and let us know if it was helpful.

Critical Training Advice: The Big 3

SOCIALIZATION

Early socialization is crucial if you want a happy, outgoing dog that you can take anywhere and meet everyone. To give your dog the confidence to make new friends, gradually introduce them to a range of adults, children, and pets.

Give your dog the freedom to sniff new surroundings and situations. Whether they are experiencing new sights and sounds or travelling in cars, trains, or buses, a calm dog is delightful.

TRAINING

Because dogs appreciate praise, attention, and, of course, treats, being devoted and consistent in your training will lead to a happier, better-behaved dog.

Training sessions should be fun and brief enough to keep your dog from getting bored. Give your dog an excellent reward for acting well to show your appreciation. This encourages people to work consistently in the right way.

PLAYING

Use games or toys to provide additional exercise and distraction when walking your dog because bored dogs might turn destructive.

You can also try agility, flyball, or obedience training, and look for fitness clubs in your area to ultimately make your dog’s mental and physical energy awesome.