BASIC DOG TRAINING

Dogs prefer order and structure in their lives. A well trained dog is a happy and contented one.

If a dog knows what is expected of it, and the owner feels relaxed, yet in control, it produces an all-round feeling of confidence and security.

Basic dog training is not difficult, however, it does require a certain degree of commitment on the owners part.

A half hearted attempt, with the owner giving up whenever persistence and plenty of patience is required, is useless and will cause the dog to become confused and undisciplined. If you want a well behaved dog, the earlier you begin training it the better.

Food Rewards

In the wild dogs spend much of their waking hours finding food. This instinct still remains in the domestic pet.When you plan your training session remember to take a bag of treats along. Every time the dog hears the bag rustle, it will soon realise that it will be given a reward when it obeys a command.

Once the command has been practised several times, continue to reinforce the behaviour, but only give the dog a treat every fourth or sixth time it obeys.  Eventually the dog will learn to respond without the promise of any treats.

Bad Behaviour

You can deal with a badly behaved dog by withholding attention. Turn away from the dog, and don't look at it, or speak to it.  Doing this for a few minutes only, will be sufficient.  Dogs hate to be ignored, and they will soon get the message.

Teaching your dog to 'come'

You can begin this training at home if you have a room with enough space to distance you from your dog.

To begin with, it is probably best to work with a second person when you begin this training session. Place your dog at the opposite end of the room from yourself. 

Wait until the dog is looking at you, as soon as it begins to move towards you, say 'Come!' then stoop slightly, extend your arms forwards and slightly apart in a welcoming gesture. Bend down to the dogs level, give it an affectionate pat, whilst telling it how well it has done.  Practice this technique frequently so that your dog gets to know the word well.