Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or just trying to teach an old dog new tricks, there are a few secrets that will make dog obedience training much easier than it appears to be on The Dog Whisperer. If you’re ready to teach Fido to fetch, here are six tips to make him listen every time.
1: Be Consistent
The single most important factor of dog training is remaining firm in your convictions. If walks aren’t until 7pm, don’t cave when he starts whining 30 minutes beforehand. If he isn’t allowed on the couch, don’t let him get away with sneaking under your arm just because he’s adorable. Sending him mixed signals is both unproductive and unfair.
2: Reward Good Behavior
Positive psychology always work better than negative. Instead of punishing your pooch for what he gets wrong, offer treats, praise and belly scratches for what he does right. In his heart, he just wants to please you, so putting him on a positive feedback cycle is good for both his soul and his future obedience training.
3: Get The Right Tools
Puppy pads are useful when you’re attempting to housebreak a new guest. Electronic collars will emit high-pitched noises whenever your dog tries to growl or go beyond the boundaries of his e-fence. “No chew” sprays will protect your table legs and left shoes.
4: Don’t Acknowledge Barking
All they want is attention, so even putting them in another room or trying to calm them down is reinforcing the bad behavior. When your dog starts barking, the best course of action is to ignore them until they internalize the idea that noise-making won’t get them what they want.
5: Train Every Day
Discipline and responsiveness to commands should be an everyday, instinctual response in your dog. To make this happen, however, you can’t slack off when it comes to training. Devote at least 15 minutes a day to putting him through his paces. Remember to have doggie biscuits on hand for afterwards.
6: Take A Class
If your canine is still resisting a good code of conduct, it might be time to bite the bullet and turn yourself over to the professionals. Dog behaviorists can guide you through your very own obedience course until you have the skills and confidence necessary to bring your baby to heel.
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Oh, my goodness, one of the most difficult things I ever tried was training one of our dogs! He was so stubborn, lol! I finally discovered the magic thing: FOOD! A nibble of a doggie treat would get him to sit, heel, etc.!
Patience is a key element in training. Dogs are like people – some are smarter than others, some are more mature at an earlier age. And some have breed traits that just can’t be erased, such as digging or chasing.
We’ve been pretty lucky, in that each of our dogs was an adult when he or she came to live with us, so they were pretty well trained. But there’s always something. Our first dog needed to learn not to jump on visitors. Our next dog needed to learn to walk on a leash. Our current dog is struggling with the leash training, and we’re working hard on the “come” command. Your tip about consistency one we really need to work on. I’m afraid my spouse and I sometimes use different signals and the poor dog gets confused! Anyway, thanks for the tips and reminders.
I so agree with your point about taking a class. Several years ago we rescued a dying puppy from the side of a street in our rural neighborhood and fostered him until a local agency was able to find him a “forever home.” I’d never had a dog myself and SOOOO wanted to treat him like a baby/toy. I was lucky enough to stumble upon Cesar’s training book and took his advice to heart, particularly about being the pack leader and taking a strong stance with Puppy on everything. By the time we let him go (with tears of sadness and joy!) Puppy was already housebroken, didn’t bark inappropriately, walked amazingly on a leash…we were so proud of him and ourselves. Taking a class would have made being “tough” so much easier, though!
Great tip about barking! But it doesn’t always work. I promise you I followed that info but I still have a full grown poodle that is the “bark” of the neighborhood.
Good points about don’t acknowledge barking. Hard to do but important. Dogs like children often act up for attention and when given will continue. I like your tips. Be consistent, firm, but also loving and rewarding. Today is my dog’s birthday…I’m feeling very rewarding to her and she assures me she has been obedient and deserves it. 🙂
These are really some great tips that I am going to start using today. Our little Chhuahua girl barks at me every time whe wants to go outside she doesn’t have to go potty she just likes to run me. I am going to start ingoring her and see if that works thanks for sharing this one and hope you have a great weekend.
I try to pick up a few tips by watching those shows like the Dog Whisperer and some others on PBS. Totally agree with these tips. The time I took my pup to training lessons (over several weeks), several years ago, it didn’t seem to help much.
These are great tips. I have always owned dogs and trained them. I am not a big fan of the puppy pads, but I have also always had the benefit of having a fenced in backyard and our house training always used that.
I think it is also important for people to remember that every dog is different and will learn at a different pace. Thank you for sharing these tips.
These are good tips. Often it is the owners that have to be trained first so that the dogs can be trained next. Beside being consistent it is very important that the dog gets enough exercise.
Great tips! I (with roommates) fostered and trained a total of 16 abandoned/abused dogs – all were adopted into good homes. I would say though, the number one tip is to establish that YOU are the Alpha – the “leader of the pack”. Once your dog understands that you are in charge, all else will follow! Another is that to make the dog gets enough exercise. He has to work off some of that playful energy, or he won’t be able to concentrate effectively on his training.