Any dog owner who’s ever raised a puppy knows that obedience training can be tricky. That’s why it’s essential to know how to train your puppy so they grow up well-behaved to be friendly towards other pets and people. In this article, you’ll learn more about how to get started with obedience training, so you understand what to do (or not do) when training your pup.
Training Equipment
Ensure you have the right training equipment to be prepared to train your dog. For instance, choose if you want a collar/harness, a regular leash (not a retractable leash), and plenty of dog treats on hand.
Choose How You Want to Train Your Dog
There are several different types of methods to train your dog like using positive reinforcement to train your dog. For instance, if your dog does something “good”, such as following a command, praise your dog with treats to reward them. This will help your dog associate following your commands with receiving something good.
The great thing about positive reinforcement is that it is versatile. You can reward your dog with following certain commands, potty training, and more.
Socialization is another important thing to consider when training your dog. Ensure you socialize your dog with other people and dogs so they will feel comfortable and learn to be gentle and considerate of other pets and people.
Additionally, when following a specific training plan with your dog, be sure that everyone in your family is on board with what is acceptable and what isn’t acceptable when it comes to training your dog. For example, if you don’t want to feed your dog people food, make sure everyone in your family is on the same page. Otherwise, this will confuse your dog if different family members are doing (or not doing) certain training methods or rules with your dog.
Consider Seeking Professional Help
If you find your dog may need a bit of extra help, consider hiring professional help to train your dog. A dog trainer has years of experience training all types of dogs. Therefore, you can learn many valuable lessons with a trainer.
There are various professional training opportunities you can do to train your dog. From group training classes to one-on-one training, carefully consider which one may be right for you and your dog. While group training can be a great way to socialize your dog, you also don’t get as much one-on-one attention to fix specific issues with your dog as with working with a dog trainer.
Teach Basic Commands
Basic commands and leash training are other fundamental components when it comes to training your dog. Teaching your dog how to sit, stay, leave it, and more are all important commands that will teach your dog the necessary obedience skills to be a well-behaved dog. When training your dog with basic commands, be consistent and patient with them, and don’t forget to reward your dog with a yummy treat when they follow your command!
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