An Intro to Training
Training a dog takes time, understanding, patience and consistency. Here are a few common behavior challenges dog parents face and some suggestions for managing/solving them.
First, let’s understand how training works:
Proper training is essential for a long, happy and safe relationship with your dog, setting the foundation to ensure your dog stays physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. To make dog training an enjoyable and fulfilling activity, it's best to use a positive reinforcement approach that is rewards-based, fun and effective. Dog training based on using positive reinforcement helps you understand how dogs think, learn and communicate. In turn, you will understand how to encourage and reward appropriate and polite dog behaviors for real-life situations. This builds and nurtures the bond between you and your pup.
It is scientifically proven that animals will learn new behavior faster and more successfully if they are allowed to voluntarily participate in the learning process and are rewarded for preferred behaviors. Families have the best relationships with their dogs if they act as kind, benevolent influences for the family and help their dog understand their role in the household. Dogs feel safest and most confident knowing their pet parents are making the decisions and setting boundaries. Puppies that work and are rewarded for all the good things in life are more confident, attentive, polite, respectful and connected to their family.
In the beginning: SUPERVISE your dog closely. It may help to have your dog on a leash in the house so you can keep a close watch and keep them out of potentially unsafe situations. As you work with your dog, your dog will learn to repeat the behaviors that you reinforce. It is important that every family member has agreed on which behaviors are acceptable and preferred, how to consistently reinforce these behaviors and what to do in case a less favorable behavior is observed. Puppies can learn very quickly; just keep the training sessions short and fun, no more than five-ten minutes at a time. Keep training sessions upbeat, with plenty of opportunities for the puppy to offer and be rewarded for the preferred behavior.
Crate training is a big favor you can do for your dog. It’s your dogs “safe space” from the world, where they can choose to go if they are feeling overwhelmed or tired. From the crate, your dog gets used to new sights, sounds and people. A crate can be a very effective management tool both for potty- and house-training, until you know how your dog reacts in different situations. If your dog will be left alone for several hours every day, start crate training now, even if you are just going to the next room for a few minutes. Your dog needs to learn how to spend time without you. A dog that gets constant attention and then is suddenly left alone for eight hours may begin to bark, chew or develop other behavior problems like separation anxiety.
Make training time playtime, too. Talk, laugh and have fun while your dog learns “sit,” “down” and other basic behaviors. Be over-exuberant with plenty of praise at first, so they know they got it right. “Good Sit!” and “Good Potty!,” when said with happy enthusiasm, all signal that they have made the right choice and have pleased you. This will increase the likelihood of the desired behavior being repeated.
