The basis of training should be grounded on positive reinforcement. The goal is not to bribe your dog, but to train it with something it values. Punishments, on the other hand, can cause a dog to become confused and unsure of what is expected of it, so patience will go a long way toward teaching your new puppy proper behaviour.
Puppies can begin very basic training as soon as they arrive home, which is usually around 8 weeks old. Always keep your training sessions short, 5 to 10 minutes and end on a positive note. If your puppy is having difficulty learning a new behaviour, end the session by assessing something he already knows and rewarding him generously.
Read on to learn about the five basic behavioural cues you need to teach your new pup.
- Teaching Your Dog To Come When Called
Make training fun by using the children’s game of hide and seek to reinforce the “come” command; however, you may need to repeat the command a few times before he listens to you. This is a fun way to teach your pup the command while also teaching him persistence.Dogs that consistently come when called can be given more freedom. Once your dog has mastered coming home on its own, then you can progress to higher stimulation environments.
- Teaching Your Dog Loose-Leash Walking
In obedience training, “heel” refers to the dog walking on your left side with his head even with your knee while you hold the leash loosely. Puppy training can be a little more relaxed, with the goal of having them walk on a loose leash without pulling. When teaching a simple way of walking together, some trainers prefer to say “let’s go” or “forward” rather than “heel” but you need to be consistent and always use the same word.
- Teaching Your Dog To Sit
Teaching a dog to sit is one of the simplest things to do. It’s an effective calming cue, and because sitting is incompatible with undesirable behaviour, it’s useful in defusing otherwise tense situations.
Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and make a 45-degree motion up and back. Your dog will follow the treat, bending his back and sitting, after which you can give them the treat. Repeat this several times to show him the treat, but don’t tempt him with it. Repeat this until he sits immediately when you show him a treat.
- Teaching Your Dog To Lie Down
Lying down can be taught in the same way that sitting is. Begin with your dog sitting and holding a treat up to his nose and moving it down to the floor between his paws. He will most likely follow the treat to the floor and lie down. Tap and give him a treat as soon as he’s lying down.
- Teaching Your Dog To Stay
A puppy who understands the “stay” cue will remain sitting until you tell him to get up with another cue known as the “release word’. The goal is to teach your dog to sit until the release cue is given, then gradually increase the distance.
Hold your open palm in front of your puppy’s face and say “stay” while holding the leash with your other hand. Repeat several times and gradually distance yourself from your dog and lengthen the time you ask him to stay.
You can start training your dog at any age. You’ll get the best results from your efforts if you make learning enjoyable and interesting, so each session should conclude on a positive note and if you believe your dog is having difficulty learning or is “stubborn,” consider the speed with which you train and the value of your rewards. You can now shop training equipment for dogs from Dubai Pet Food to make the training process easier for you and your dog!
