Dog Training

Even with the best of intentions, dog owners often make several common dog training mistakes. After all, dogs and humans are very different – what makes sense for us in a situation might be detrimental to a dog. Are you making these mistakes in your dog training without knowing it?

Here’s some professional dog training advice on what to avoid and how to correct any mistakes:

1. Calling a dog’s name while making him do something he doesn’t want to do

Some dog owners wonder why their dog doesn’t come to them when their name is called, despite all the dog training in the world. Well, if you call your dog’s name and then take him out of the dog park, or trim his ears, or punish him (in his mind) in some way, he will just learn to ignore you when you call his name because the dog begins to associate his name with things he doesn’t like. For better results, be sure to call his name and then play ball with him, reward him with treats, or feed him and you’ll be more successful with your dog training.

2. Ignoring a dog’s bad behavior and/or not acting soon enough

Ignoring bad behavior can lead to a continued habit of that behavior. Take advantage of every opportunity and apply this dog training tip. Once you see your dog do something that you do not want her doing again, such as chewing on your shoe or barking at the mailman, do something about it immediately. You can say a strong “No!” Ignoring it will only make any future dog training harder. However, don’t wait too long – dogs have a very short window, only one to two seconds long, of opportunity to understand correction or praise for something they did. Always remember this when you’re doing dog training.

3. Not rewarding a dog’s good behavior

Suppose your dog picks up the newspaper for you or stays quiet when your friend comes over. You smile at yourself and feel proud that all of your dog training paid off.  If you don’t reward the dog for his good behavior – and do it immediately – he might not do it again as often as you’d like. Always remember to reward good behavior with a treat or praise.

4. Giving a dog your attention at the wrong time

Your dog loves to get attention from you, even negative attention. For example, if he or she is scared and barking at thunder,  jumping on your guests or simply whining, and then you give her lots of attention, you are reinforcing that action because your dog learns that when he or she does this, they get attention, which they love!

Your attention will only reinforce her behavior. You can get better results from your dog training by saying a simple “No” or “Off!”

5. Putting a dog’s nose in accidents

Dogs will not understand that you’re trying to tell them not to do it in the house anymore. They will just hide it better the next time! And then you’ll have an unpleasant surprise the next time you go into a closet. For more successful dog training, try to catch him in the act and say “No!” so he’ll connect the act, rather than the result, with your disapproval.

Dog Training

6. Repeating your commands

Pay careful attention to this next dog training tip. I’ve seen it over and over and there’s an easier, better way to get the result you want.

“Sit. Sit. Sit. Sit down! Sit! Sit!” The dog heard you the first time. Repeating your commands won’t help – it actually makes it harder for them to learn the command. Your ultimate goal should be for the dog to obey your commands the first time they are given. Make it a part of your dog training to lead him to do it on the first command by gently putting your hand on his back and leading him to sit as you give the command.

Try to avoid these six mistakes when conducting dog training, and both you and your dog will be happier and will have a much better relationship in the end.

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