My shopping cart
Your cart is currently empty.
Continue ShoppingTraining your dog comes with various benefits, like better behavior and increased bonding time for the two of you. But before teaching your dogâwhether with obedience train, agility, protection, or something elseâyou need to know where to start. Take note of everything you should know about dog training so you and your furry friend can keep the process enjoyable!
When you bring your adorable puppy home, youâre going to give it a fitting name. And this name is the first thing you teach your dog. Many dog trainers stress this, and rightfully so. When your canine knows its name, it also knows what to respond to anytime itâs called. Should you adopt an older dog, donât rename it since this could lead to confusion.
Aside from its name, there are other commands to teach your furry addition before you can get into any specialized training or fun tricks. First, you need to house train your furry friend and ensure it knows what you expect. Your dog needs to know:
Working on these while your pooch is young prevents the chances of it learning and adopting bad behaviors as it grows. Just like children, puppies are impressionable. Avoid confusion by laying down the law early on.
Never overdo training sessions with your puppy. Not only will it lose interest, but it may also stop retaining the information, which could lead to frustration on both ends. And when youâre getting started, keep training sessions brief and to the point. Also, remember to end each training session on a positive note by showering your pup with love and treats.
Training is a journey. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed or like things are impossible. You may even want to give up if youâre dealing with a rambunctious, hard-to-manage puppy, but you have to persevere. Dog training is a challenge for all owners, and you donât have to do it alone. Once your puppy is old enough, enroll then in obedience school!
Before your dog can learn any specialized training, it needs to pass obedience school, so pick one out. Itâs best to do some research on the classes offered in your area since youâll need to decide whatâs best for your pup. While many dogs do fine in group classes, not all canines benefit from it. Some thrive in private lessons, and others need doggy boot camp!
Group training also gives you the chance to find four-legged friends for your puppy. Socializing your puppy with other animals at a young age helps it learn new behaviors and lessen the risk of social or behavioral problems later in life.
Also, think about how youâll reinforce behaviors in your dog. Taking the breed into consideration with this is a priority. If your furry friend is a rescue and you donât know the exact breed, consider consulting a trainer for their opinion.
The breed matters and affects whether you use alpha training, positive reinforcement, or another method. Why? Because different breeds exist for various tasks and have different personalities. In other words, some are more sensitive than others and may react poorly to something like alpha training. When your dog feels uncomfortable, it is less likely to pick up on what youâre trying to teach it.
Dogs communicate differently than people. For starters, theyâll sniff to gather scent and information. Dogs can collect information on mood, health, and so much more just by sniffing one another! But dogs also communicate and understand one another through body language, so you should pick up on these non-verbal cues. During training sessions, watch for:
By understanding dog language, listening to your dog becomes easier. Training shouldnât feel forced for either of you since itâll lead to frustration and other problems. And this can become a bigger problem with different types of training. For example, if you are training a guide dog and it seems afraid of the leash or harness at first, then slowly introduce it. If youâre looking for the best place to buy professional working dog gear, then shop at Julius K9âall of our equipment is top quality!
Consistency is vital to successful training. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same commands, so your dog doesnât get confused. You may want to write out each command to make sure everyone remains on the same page.
When you start training your puppy, sit down with your household and agree on the verbal order for each command. Rather than say ânoâ when your dog does something wrong, get specific so that your canine understands what behavior is inappropriate. Otherwise, youâll end up saying âno,â whether your dogâs chewing on shoes or jumping on company. Keep commands clear and consistent.
As you consider everything you should know about dog training, remember to set realistic goals, whether youâre working with a puppy or adult dog. Set up a timeline and list of commands that make sense and seem achievable. Remember, your dogâs not going to learn everything in a week.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your pooch may resort to old behaviors throughout the training process, which is perfectly normal. Potty training, for instance, could take months for a puppy to understand fully; so, even when you think your dog understands, it may not. But the good news is that any dog can and will learn as long as you put in the time and effortâyes, even old dogs can learn new tricks.
Training your dog takes time, and it isnât always easy. Some days are better than others, but if you persevere, youâll put your pup on the right track. Remember to communicate with your dog, remain consistent, and set realistic goals. As you shop for harnesses, collars, leashes, and other training-specific equipment, check out Julius K9! Get ready to learn as a duo, and remember that you and your furry friend are a team!