Dog Obedience Training
Dog Obedience training is a broad term encompassing any number of methods used for teaching a dog to understand and respond appropriately to commands. It should not be confused with behavior modification, a form of training aimed specifically at changing problem behavior At the very least, every dog should receive basic obedience training. No matter how much time an owner spends researching, soul searching and selecting a breed to fit his or her personality and lifestyle, proper training can make the difference between a delightful or a disastrous experience. When approached with fun in mind, obedience training not only creates an effective channel of communication between you and your dog m but lays the foundation fro a healthy and pleasurable relationship.
Since a dog’s behavior is based on instinct as well as conditioning, it is best to begin obedience trainng at an early age. Although we may not realize it, we begin confitioning our dogs; behavior throuhgh verbal and body language before training even starts. Contrary to the afae about teaching old dogs new tricks, it is never too late to begin obedience training. While it may require more time and patience, it is well worth the effort.
Although many people train their dogs themselves, new owners often prefer to enroll their dogs in obedience classes. If you choose this route, you should attend the classes yourself so that you and your dog both benefit from a trainer’s expertise. By attending the class together, you and your dog also learn from each other, which can have a positive, lasting affect on your relationshop. The interaction with other dogs and people is also a valuable contribution to your dog’s social development.
Once a puppy has has all its hsotrs, it is ready to attend kindergarten puppy classes. Designed uniquely for puppies eight weeks too six months olds, puppy kindergarten does not involved obedience techniques used with older dogs. Rather, it focuses on teaching puppies how tor eact to their surrooundings and everythng in it. It also teaches them not to be too rough by involving pay with other puppies and people. An important first step in the development a well adjusted dog, puppy kindergarten also lays thegroundwork for future training.
Whether you decide to train your dog yourself or enroll ut in a class, it is important to first consider which method of training will best fit the needs of you and your dog. training methods run the gamut from severe to soft. Some methods are based on a theory that dogs would sometimes rather resist commands than submit to human whims. Proponents of such methods, such as the renowned trainer William Koehler, advocate confinement, surprise and long, arduous sessions to promote learning. Praise, play and rewards are not a major part of the process. At the other end of the spectrum are methods based on a belief that a dog’s reason for being is to serve its owner. Such methods use only encouragement, evem corrections, and operate on the assumption that a dog will mimic the good behavior if its owner. Some trainers believe in putting a dog in its rightful, subordinate place by using consistently dominant physical signs and hard, unyielding tones of voice. Others suggest instilling good manners in a dog by building its self esteem. Primary tactics involve treating your dog as a loved and respected member of the family.
Before choosing a training method, get to know your dog. Your dog’s temperament and ability, as well as your personal preferences, generally are effective guides to choosing a method sthat’s right for you. Since no single mthod is likely to meet all your requirements, it is helpful to refer toother methods when needed. Most trainers and owners find an effective middle ground between severe and soft approaches.
Just as there are abundant training methods, numerous training tools also exist. Whether you choose food reinforcer, training collars, harnesses or electronic devices to elicit the desired responses from your dog. It is essential that you first learn how to to use the tool properly. By failing to do so, you could severely injure your dog physically or psychologically. Choke, punch or electric shock collars can be particularly dangerous if you have not been properly trained to use them.
There are five basic commands invoved in obedience training: heel, sit, down, stay and come. Traiing sessions should include all five commands. For best results, repeat the training three times per day, or approximately 15 minutes each session. Above all, have fun!
When teaching your dog any of these commands, always use a gentle, yet firm tone of voice. Keepyour dog on th elead until it fully understands a command and how to respond appropriately. never hit your dog in an attempt to elicit a response; it rarely works and usually hinders rather than helps the situation. Above all, encourage your dog with spirited, high-pitched praise each time it correctly obeys a command.
Heel: Heeling should be taught initially while you and your dog are standing still. To teach your dog to stay close to you on the leash and to not pull in any direction, begin by holding the lead firmly in our left hand. You should then shorten it so that your dog positions its right shoulder next yo your left leg. Praise your dog enthusiastically when it comes to the correct position.
Next, begin walking forward with your dog at your left leg and say”heel” as you start. As soon as your dog begins to pull ahead, pull back sharply on the lead and firmly say”heel.” Again, praise ytour dog lavishl whenever it is in the correct spot. Repeat several times, letting out the leash gradually as your dog learns to heel.
The next step is to practice heeling when turning. Begin with right turns, then progress to left turns.
Sit: Once your dog has learned to heel, it should learn to sit. This canbe accomplished by pulling up on the leash while simultaneously pressing the dog’s rump gently but firmly into a sitting possition. Be sure to say”sit” as you do this and praise your dog once it is sitting,.. You can also coazx your dog ’s head yup and its rump down by moving a piece of food from in from t of its face to directly above itshead.
Down: Once your dog has learned to sit, the ” down” command follows naturally. Starting in the sit position with your dog;s attention firmly focused on you, guide its nose down to the ground using your hands, food or a toy. Praise the dog as soon as it is fully down in the correct position.
Stay: Like”down,” “stay” also follows from the sit position, though the command may be slightly more difficult to teach. With your dog sitting, hold the lead in a taut and vertical position. Firmly say”stay” and begin walking in a circle around your dog. respond to any movement by pulling up firmly on the lead Gradually slacken the lead and walk further away from your dog.
Eventually, give the command “stay” while extending your arm and the palm of yourhand toward rge dfm as if you were making a “stop”sign. Practice walking in a wider circle with a slakened lead. When your dog fully understands the command, let the lead go and walk away. Always bestow generous praise on your dog when you return, and then release with a word such as okay.
Come: Having successfully learned to stay, your dog is now ready to learn to “come.” This maneuver involves calling out to your dog by using its name coupled with the command”come.” It helps to rpactice this when your dog is in the stay postiion so that you can first walk away then ask your dog to come to you. Kneeling down or bending over, welcome it towards you with your arms stretched our. praise your dog only when it reaches you.
Dogs can also be taught a wide variety of other skills and trickes. Consulting with a professional trainer, and evaluating your expectations, is the best way to begin.
Three keys to success: Regardless of the method you choose to train ytour dog, there are three universal keys to success: consistency, patience, and a positive attitude. No matter how intelligent your dog is, it will be unable to respond correctly to a command that has been assigned more than one meaning. If you sau”down,” for example, when telling tour dog to lie down, do not use it when commmanding ytour dog t get down off the couch or a person. If you are not the only person interacting with your dog while it is being trained, ensure that others are aware of your commands and how they should ne used. It is also helpful to train your dog at the same time very day so that obedient behavior becomes a familiar part of your dog;’s routine.
While some dogs learn faster than others, obedience training takes time. It is unrealistic and unfair to your dog to expect instant success. Good results come gradually. Success stems from consistent and constant labor that could require up to two years’ worth of dedicated effort. Not only is it essential to have patience, it is important not to lose your patience during the process. While quiting beofr eyour dog is fully treained might provide short term respite, it will undoubtedly yield longer term problems, Even when you are truly committed to the task, losing your patience with your dog can be detrimental to the success of the training and possibly to the health of your relationship. Whether you completely lose your cool or simpleu simmer with frustration, your dog will sense your loss of confidence and may challenge your uathoriyt. If your dog becomes anxious or frustrated during training, you should repond by acting even calmer.
Your attitude goes a long way toward determining how successful your dog;s training will be. If you approach dog obedience training as a chore, it is bound to feel that way to both you and your dog. Conversely, if you think of it as a pleasurable experience, chances are your dog will too. It’s up to you to set the tone; your dog will follow.