There’s so much more to dog training than teaching them to sit. If you’ve ever watched a dog show, you’ll know there’s a host of fun tricks you can practice with your dog, but if they’re running circles around you (for all the wrong reasons!) – it might be best to start with the basics.
Dog Training 101
Reward-based training method sets your dog up for success by using positive reinforcement. This reinforces good behavior, helping your dog to memorize which actions are regarded as positive or negative.
Rewards may come in the form of a treat – or verbal praise spoken in a happy and pleasant tone, such as “good dog!”. In reward-based training, “unwanted behavior” is generally ignored (i.e., no treats or praise).
This has sound reasoning behind it: firstly, some dogs are hungry for attention (whether it’s positive or negative) and may “act out” to get it, which can cause unhealthy patterns of behavior to develop.
Secondly, “aversion therapy” or physical punishment is not helpful, can damage the bond between owner and dog and can even cause your dog to become fearful of you. As the saying goes, “what you resist persists’ by the same token, reward-based training focusses on your dog’s positive behaviors, allowing them to flourish.
Why Train your Dog?
Training your dog has a number of benefits:
- Strengthening the bond between you and your pet
- Preventing problematic behavior from developing
- Keeps your dog safe (for example in situations where they need to “heel”
- Creating an activity you can share with other dog owners
- Allowing your dog to burn off energy
- preventing boredom through mental stimulation
- Keeping older dogs mentally fit and healthy
- Fun for you and your pet
Seven Common Commands
According to dog training expert Brandon McMillon, it’s best to start with what he calls “the seven common commands”, so-called because they’re the one people are most likely to use on a daily basis.
- Sit: the most commonly known command is also the one that comes easily to most dogs – so it’s a good one to start with. Once they’ve learned this one, they can build on this, progressing to more complex commands.
- Stay: another common command is closely linked to safety. It’s generally best to teach your dog this when they’re a little tired, otherwise they may be too excitable and literally unable to sit still!
- Down/Lie Down: not only can this command prevent your dog from running off unexpectedly – or it can help them progress to other commands like “roll over” (it can also be useful for teaching your pet to use dog beds).
- Here/Come: if your dog is off the lead, they need to respond when called. This is a key safety command that can help keep your pet away from potential dangers (such as more aggressive dogs looking for a fight).
- Heel: similarly, this command can help keep your dog safe in certain situations, such as walking them on a narrow pavement (it also helps to prevent your dog from pulling).
- Off: one of the most common behavioral issues is jumping on furniture. If taught effectively, “off” is a useful command for dog owners who prefer their upholstery without paw prints.
- Leave it: when your dog exhibits unwanted behavior, it’s generally best not to acknowledge it at all, but in situations that call for it – such as when your dog is intent on investigating something they shouldn’t.
Where to Train your Dog
You can also train your dog at home – but avoid training them in busy areas until they are better able to deal with distractions. If you have a puppy, you can book them into “puppy school” classes. These can be a great way to help your pup socialize with others, helping to ensure positive future interactions.
The “critical socialization” period of a puppy is between 3 and 16 weeks of age – as this is the time when they naturally learn social cues and how to communicate with other dogs. If your dog is all grown-up, they can still attend training classes based around reward-based training.
Dog training serves a number of purposes (for example teaching your pet how to use dog beds and develop a healthy sleep routine) – but most importantly it helps strengthen the bond between you and your pet so you can enjoy the fun of learning together.