How To Set Your Dog Up For A Lifetime Of Obedience
Posted on: 17 February 2020
Well-mannered dogs are easier to live with. They're less likely to hurt people accidentally, and they are less destructive. Well-behaved dogs are trained, not born. Dog obedience training can teach your dog how you want them to act, which will promote greater harmony in your home. Here are four things you can do as a dog owner to set your dog up for a lifetime of obedience:
1. Find out what your dog values.
Dogs need incentives in order to complete their training. Dog treats are commonly used, but not all dogs are food-motivated. If your dog doesn't care for treats, you can still motivate them if you find what they value most and use that as a reward. Some dogs love attention and affection. These dogs can be motivated by praise and being petted. Other dogs love to play, and they can be trained using sessions of a favorite game as a reward. Each dog is an individual. You'll have an easier time training your dog when you approach their training with that in mind.
2. Instill the basics first.
When humans learn things, they learn the easiest, simplest concepts first. Children learn to identify letters before they learn how to read and write. Once the basics are established, it's easier to learn more complex things. The same principle holds true for dogs. If you want your dog to be obedient and well-trained, you need to start with basic dog obedience training. Teach your dog to sit, stay, lie down, and heel. Once your dog masters these tasks, they will be ready to learn new, harder tasks.
3. Continue obedience training throughout your dog's life.
Dogs are intelligent, social creatures who thrive when they have a lot of mental stimulation. When your dog can reliably perform all the basic actions on command, that doesn't mean you have to stop obedience training. Continuing on to advanced obedience training can have a lot of benefits for you and your dog. Many dogs enjoy the process of obedience training. They see it as play, so pursuing higher levels of training will feel like you're continuing to play a beloved game with your dog.
4. Be consistent.
Consistency is key to any dog training regimen. If you set rules and boundaries for your dog, make sure you enforce them at all times. Dogs don't understand exceptions. If you want your dog to stay off the couch, for instance, letting your dog on the couch once will only confuse them. Be firm with your dog.
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