Basic Facts For Dog Training
Canine training revolves around communicating to your dog what you want him to do; when the dog has performed as desired, you reward him. Until the dog’s response to the command is practically automatic, then you immediately repeat the exercise a few times and review it frequently. But of course it isn’t quite as simple as it sounds.
In the first place, communications with your dog are limited. As for the action you want him to perform, you can sometimes demonstrate it. Sometimes you have to force or work with him. In certain cases such as sit or come, you can give your dog the appropriate command every time you see that he is about to perform these actions anyway, then praise him. Eventually, he will connect the cause and the effect.
When you are giving commands, you need to be calm, distinct, brief, patient, and perfectly clear in repeating them. Above all, be consistent. It is obvious you are not getting your message across and that you need to improve your communications system if your dog just sits there cocking his ears with a lost look. Start over again trying to clarify your command, while increasing the will power behind it.
At first, one-word commands are best. Later on, what you can do is use the key word in a sentence, pronouncing it gradually and not as focused. The moment that your dog has grasped your meaning and performed correctly and has been rewarded, you can then repeat the performance at once in order to fix it in his memory. Three or four times are sufficient for the first lesson because you don’t want to bore him with it.
The next day, you should repeat the lessons once more and thereafter at the beginning of each training session until he has mastered it. You will realize that your dog is enjoying showing what he has learned so far. For successful training, certain conditions are necessary. Try to schedule the lessons at the same time and in the same place, one that is a secluded as possible and free from distractions such as passing cars, playing children, and other animals.
Listening attentively and watching as you give a command is the learning process from a dog’s point of view as well as realizing that each sound and gesture signifies something he is being asked to do. Once this sequence has been established in his mind, there is no limit to what he can learn.
You should not attempt to school a tired dog, or an ailing one, or one that has just eaten. The dog will only become frustrated, irritable, and his only memory of your time together will always be an unpleasant one. The same results is what you will end up with if you are nervous, in a bad mood, or irritable. Give him your time, attention, patience, and love.
