Dog training tips

Dog training is a simple task when you know how to do it and when you are not trying to rush things. However, training a dog may seem an impossible task if you follow the wrong advice. 

There are currently two main lines of dog education, conventional training, and positive training. Although these terms are sometimes used pejoratively, in this dog57 article they are simply used to refer to the differences between these lines of thought about dog training. 

Traditional dog training relies primarily on negative reinforcement and punishment. However, this does not mean that traditional trainers beat dogs, if done correctly it means that corrections prevail in this type of dog training when a dog does not respond expectedly.

For its part, positive dog training relies mainly on positive reinforcement to teach dogs, although it also uses other means to correct inappropriate behavior. 

Conventional training is usually more difficult and coercive than positive training, so we do not recommend resorting to it if we are not professional. Read and discover our tips for dog training. 

dogs training  

If you've read any traditional training book, you've probably come across the dichotomy between dog education and dog training. Historically, in traditional training, puppy education was separated from formal training of young and old dogs. According to this differentiation, a puppy should be taught differently from an adult dog. 

This division is based on two facts: 

Puppies do not have the same attention span as adult dogs.

Conventional training devices (choke collars and spikes) can easily damage a puppy's neck. 

However, this differentiation is not done in positive training, because the methods used are effective in training dogs of any age. Additionally, no choke or stud collars are used, so the tools used cannot harm the puppies. Despite this, the limited interest of young dogs is recognized and they do not have the same requirements as adult dogs. On the other hand, we always recommend the use of positive training, since with it we will achieve effective results without the need to harm the animal or expose it too unpleasant situations for its own sake. 

Frequently Asked Questions in Dog Breeding 

Although you can teach your dog many things, there are common issues with teaching any dog. These topics include the good manners of a companion dog and the basic obedience that every dog should have. 

Canine good manners are essential to any dog and include what might be called basic dog training. As a general rule it includes the following: 

Socialization of dogs

bite inhibition

Training the dog to go to the bathroom

Educate the dog to use the travel crate

Educate your dog to greet people properly

Teach your dog to use a collar and leash

Training a dog to pay attention

Teach the dog to stop while walking

Training the dog to go by car

Teach your dog to ignore things

Train the dog to control the barking

Teach the dog not to bite the furniture 

For its part, competitive canine obedience is not necessary for a companion dog, but it can be very beneficial. Those who have a dog that has been trained to obey cannot conceive the idea of owning another dog without this kind of training. Basic canine obedience includes the following exercises: 

 

Things to keep in mind when training dogs 

If the purpose of your search is to become a professional dog educator, it is best to consult schools that offer dog training and education courses so that you can be fully trained and have the qualifications to devote yourself to them professionally. On the other hand, if you need advice on dog training because you just adopted one and are looking for a little guide, the previous topics will help you know where to start and what to consider. In parallel, you should keep in mind the following keys to get the best results: 

Be patient, teaching dogs takes time. As with the learning process in humans, it is necessary to set aside time to get the animal to internalize commands or correct bad behaviors.

Be persistent. To get good results, patience must go hand in hand with perseverance. If you don't do training sessions frequently and set a schedule, your dog will never accommodate the demands. With this, we do not mean that we have to stress the animal or that we have to do very long sessions both are counterproductive. Sessions of a maximum duration of 10 minutes should be done and repeated consistently every day. 

Set the rules from the start. Once you have established kennel rules, don't change them. If you live with more people, it will be necessary to involve them and inform them of the established rules so that all of you can teach the animal in the same way. Simple example: If you train a dog to learn to sit using the "sit" command and someone else uses the word "sit," they will never learn it.

Use positive reinforcement. A dog educated in kindness, which receives congratulations and rewards for good behavior, will always learn faster.

Enjoy with your dog. Without a doubt, another key to effectively teaching dogs is having fun while they are training them. If the dog notices that we are bored or we turn the training sessions into a routine that does not interest us, he will realize this and adopt the same attitude. In this sense, we recommend playing games with your dog that, in addition, strengthen your bonds, stimulate your mind and encourage learning.