Say what you mean...and mean what you say!
Teach your dog that he should listen to you rather than "tune you out." Use your dog's name to get his attention before you give a command. How else will he know you are talking to him?
Train in different places so it doesn't get boring.
Work with your dog inside different rooms of the house, your front yard, backyard, during walks around the neighborhood, at a park, at your local pet store, at an outdoor coffee shop or café. Use different training rewards; different yummy treats, fun toys, whatever motivates your dog. Be creative!
Consistency is the key!
Be consistent with your dog and the behavior you expect from him. Follow through with the commands you give and make sure everyone in your household is doing the same.
Keep your training sessions short and fun.
Don't practice too many commands in a row or your dog will be bored and may see this as punishment. Instead, incorporate training in your everyday routine. For example - have your dog sit before giving him dinner or treats. Have him sit and stay for a few moments before going outside or inside. Try having your dog sit before entering or exiting the car, while putting on his collar or leash, etc. By the end of your day you will have trained your dog several times without even realizing it.
If you live in a multi-dog household...
make time to practice with each dog alone and away from the other dogs. Take him for a quick walk by himself and practice a few fun commands. Don't forget to take some treats!
Earn your dog's trust.
Don't tease your dog or make him do unnecessary things he doesn't want to do. Be a fair and consistent handler. Be a leader to your dog - not a dictator.
Read all about it!
There are literally hundreds of books on dog training. Having read a lot of them, I have put together a list of the ones I've found most helpful.
CLICK HERE for recommended reading.
|
