Dog Obedience Training

Start With the Basics of Obedience

One of the most important factors in successful dog obedience training is to start as soon as the puppy is old enough to interact with people. For most dogs, it happens around eight weeks of age. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the entire obedience training program but if you start with the basics and keep your dog obedience training as simple as possible, your dog will learn.

As most trainers and professionals would agree, dog obedience training normally starts with a simple command such as “sit.” You want to stick with easy commands because your dog doesn’t speak English, so he doesn’t know what the word “sit” actually means. You will need to demonstrate these commands. How do you demonstrate “sit”? By pushing the dog’s behind as you say the word again and again. Make sure to reward your dog with a small treat or reward. After a few successful attempts and rewards, you should be able to say the word and the dog should follow your command.

Always break your dog obedience training into small manageable chunks by introducing one command at a time. For example, stick with the “sit” command until your dog has mastered it and for at least two weeks before moving on to another command such as “come.” When you practice the “come” command, get your dog to come see you from another room and give your dog a reward and pet him when he comes. Play with him and practice other commands that you have already taught him, such as the “sit” command. By reviewing old commands and learning one new command, you’re off to a good start with your dog obedience training.

One thing that you should avoid during dog obedience training is trying to teach your dog all the commands at once. Most experienced dog owners will tell you that you need to take it slow and gradually teach your dog new commands. Your dog will likely be confused if you keep teaching him different commands all at once. He hears the expectation in your voice but he has no idea what you want him to do. Remember to demonstrate or show your dog what each command means. Keep repeating the command over and over while your dog is following your command and gradually work toward saying the command and waiting for your dog’s reaction.

Always remember to reward obedient dogs throughout dog obedience training. Rewards are not limited to fatty treats that are bad for your dog’s health. You can also pet your dog for a few minutes or let him play with a favorite toy. The important thing is that your dog understands that his reactions to your commands are right and appreciated.

If you’re having problems with dog obedience training, don’t hesitate to slow down and simply review old commands before introducing new ones. You can also talk to a professional about it.

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