Basic Dog Training Tips
Dog and Puppy Training
Recently while out with Coco my German Shepherd at an event in Pembroke Pines I was asked about dog training tips.
Coco can do many simple tricks like sit and down using non verbal hand commands only. To make it more entertaining, Coco will do this for little kids. I can ask a child if they are a dog trainer and if they show any interest at all I put them in front of Coco with a small treat in their hand. Then I show them what to do and Coco will sit or go down as long as the child lifts their palm up or she will sit if they point down… Parents love it, and it put a big smile on the child’s face.
So I decided to write a little bit more about some basic dog training tips. These tips are for the average dog with an average and typical drives. It is very important to understand your dog’s drives and personality. If you have a dog that might have been mistreated or had bad experiences these basic tips are not enough. Please contact me if you are in the South Florida area and I can put you in contact with a professional dog trainer.
One of the first things that is important is that you have good communication with your dog and understand how a dog communicates. You need to use “one word orders”, the dog does not understand an explanation of how to do something or why they are doing it. Let’s make a clear list of words or directions for the dog. The words need to be simple to understand for both the person in the dog.
One word orders:
If you cannot define the words clearly and plainly do not expect the dog to understand what you’re talking about. (Out can not mean both drop what is in your mouth AND go outside)
Release word:
When the dog is free to do what it wants, you need to release it. Sit means sit, until you say something… Down means down until you say the release word. Pick a word that doesn’t get said in front of the dog unless it means they can be released from what they are doing…
Timing (Marking the correct behavior):
This is where clickers have become popular. You must communicate to the dog your immediate approval or disapproval of their actions. It must be within seconds of the action. If you say sit, and the dog sits, just as the dog’s bottom hits the floor you should mark the behavior. You can do this by saying “good”. In the beginning of training this is when you could use treats. A treat should be popped into the dog’s mouth every time they hear “good”. Eventually you can phase out the treats. The dog will be expecting the verbal approval.
Consistency
If you are not consistent with the above communication concepts it will seriously hinder the dogs learning… Don’t blame the dog if the humans can’t get on the same page.
Dog Name:
Don’t say the dog’s name unless you want his/her attention. One of the first things to teach the dog is that if they look at you when you say their name it is party time!Or at least treat time. When you say their name, they should stop what they are doing and look at you. If you say their name without rewarding them for looking they will eventually ignore you. Don’t ever call the dog to you and punish the dog. Don’t use the dog’s name for a recall, have a separate command for that.
Feeding:
The dog needs to know that it is being fed by the humans. No more free food. Let the dog work for the food. Even if it is simply to sit patiently until the food is placed on the floor. Like all training, don’t become stagnant. If the dog will sit still until the food is placed on the floor, next make it sit and not touch the food until YOU say so. Then move onto more challenges, leave the food on the floor for minutes while the dog sits still. The dog will learn self control AND that it is in his best interest to follow directions. If the dog moves to the food before given directions to do so, pick up the food and start over. Dogs are smart, they will learn.
Physical borders/boundaries:
It should also have clear borders and boundaries. It doesn’t matter if you let your dog on the bed or couch, but what does count is that YOU control it, Not the dog. It doesn’t’ matter if the dog goes out the door before you. What counts is that YOU control what the dog does. The more the dogs feels like the human is in charge and taking care of everything the less stressed and apprehensive the dog will be. Insecure dogs often come from a lack of trust and reliance on their humans. If you don’t lead and protect your dog, they will do it for both of you!