Rachel’s Dog Training

Training your dog can get tough for the first few weeks. If your dog isn’t used to being trained everyday, then they may not want to cooperate. It is important in the first month that you make training fun and simple for your dog. That is why I have compiled a list of training tips to make training simpler for you and your dog.

1. Make training times quick - Dogs have a short attention span, and puppies even shorter. If you just do one step a day with your training, your dog or puppy will learn more than if you try to teach them all in the one day. if you notice your puppy not listening or not cooperating, it is best to end the training session there and then, and come back tomorrow.
2. Be Patient - Your dog or puppy won’t learn a new skill over night. It may take him a week to learn a skill, and in that week you must be patient with him, otherwise he won’t enjoy training sessions and won’t want to cooperate.
3. Always reward when your dog does something right - If you don’t reward him for doing something right every time for the first few steps, then he won’t think that he is doing the right thing everytime, and may start doing the wrong thing.
4. Praise your dog with words, treats and pats - If you just use food to reward your dog he may get sick of it and not cooperate as well as he would if you vary his rewards.
5. Teach your dog the skills one step at a time - don’t rush the tricks, if you do your dog won’t learn them as well, and you may have to reteach them again.
6. Make training part of your dogs daily routine - If you make training part of your dog’s daily routine, he wil get used to it in a few weeks. However, don’t put training time and play time together. If you play after training time your dog will want to get training over and done with so he can play or go for a walk. If you put training after playtime your dog will most likely be worn out and not cooperate with you.
7. Make your voice firm but not angry - If your dog is slightly defiant, you need to let him know who’s boss. make you voice firmer when giving him commands, but try not to sound angry.
8. Never reward your dog if he does the wrong move - For example, if you are teaching him to lay down and he only goes into a ‘Bow’ position, don’t reward him because he will believe this is the right thing to do. Simple correct the move with a simple and firm ‘No’ and try again.
9. Use a leash if you dog tends to wonder - If your dog doesn’t want to stay with you during your first few training times then put him on a leash and hold it securly in your hand.
10. Have Fun - Training is important, but enjoying the time you have with your dog everyday is important too. Don’t just think of training as a chore, but an enjoyable experience with your canine companion.

For more tips on dog training, please view my Tip Of The Week page every so often.

Good luck, and have fun with your training!

Rachel and the Dogs

P.S. To get my free training course, visit The Dog Training Academy

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Like us, dogs need plenty of exercise everyday. It is very important that they get this exercise for the same reasons that we need ours.

However, when you do exercise your dog don’t over exhaust him. If he starts breathing hard give him a rest or stop the exercise. You must always have water available to him. If you take him for a walk outside your yard, take either a bowl you can fill with water or pour some water from a drink bottle for him to have. If your dog gets dehydrated this can be a serious problem.

Never feed your dog after or before you exercise him. Dogs can have problems with their stomachs if they eat near exercise.

But the main part of exercise is having fun with your dog. If you take your dog walking you and he will have much more fun doing exercise together. If you want tips on teaching your dog to walk on the leash, please see my article on Leash Lessons.

Good Luck!

Rachel and the Dogs

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Dogs need plenty of attention to keep their minds active and out of trouble. But the main part of attention they need is play. Most dogs love to play with each other but if your dog doesn’t have a play mate then you need to make the time to play with him everyday.

if your dog is a puppy he will usually want to play rough with you even if you have another dog as well. It is good to let him be a little rough but if he starts biting hard and continuing to bite and grab hard when he grows older you have to stop him before it gets out of hand.

Simply stand with your arms folded and ignore him. If your arms are folded he can’t grab your fingers or long sleeves. If you ignore him he will soon get bored of trying grab you and find something else to do. Once he does start patting him again. But if he starts trying to grab and bite again ignore him or go into another room.

This will teach him that you won’t pay him any attention if he behaves that way. If you take your dog for a walk every afternoon, he needs to be well behaved. Because you are taking him out of your yard it is even more important that he behaves in a good way. I strongly suggest that you teach him the four Basic Training skills before taking him walking, especially for the first time.

He needs to obey all of your commands when outside of your yard so that he doesn’t get injured or lost. However if you have him on a leash the whole time that is less likely to happen. For tips on taking your dog walking and training him how to walk by your side, read Leash Lessons.

It is also important to have fun playing with you dog. Dogs are mans best friend for a reason, they always try to make us happy and we should try to make them happy too.

Good Luck!

Rachel and the Dogs

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