When it comes to teaching your dog, nothing beats doing it in the comfort of your own home, where you have full control over the environment and can work at a pace that suits you both. Since your dog is already familiar with the house, they should be calm there.
Here are 5 suggestions for doing dog training at home.
Spend adequate time preparing
Plus, what is it that you hope to train your dog to do? Perhaps you’re trying to teach your dog some manners, such as not jumping up on people, walking nicely on a leash, or returning when called.
While these may seem like outdoor pursuits, you’re better off honing your skills indoors and building a solid foundation first before venturing out into the yard. Write down all of your objectives.
Visit our site or look across the web for training-related resources. Look for a trainer that uses positive reinforcement (such as toys, food, verbal and hands-on praise) and avoids negative tactics (such as screaming, lead jerks, or physical punishment).
+ Get the necessary gear ready, such as a harness or a lead, for your dog training at home. As such, you should stock up on training toys and high-value treats (the kind of sweets your dog absolutely cannot resist) to motivate him or her to behave.
Pick a place with few interruptions and a comfortable atmosphere. If you can, have a friend or relative film you on their phone, or put your phone to record, so you can watch what you’ve done.
If you want to train your dog without resorting to bribery, it’s best to have the treats out of sight, in a pot on the side, so it can see them on its own time.
+ Set the stage for success by getting in the appropriate headspace, maintaining a level of self-command while remaining calm and inspiring.
+ Get your dog ready; distract him with his favourite goodies or a game with his favourite toy.
Educate completely
Create a chain reaction by breaking things down into their component parts and rewarding each part along the way.
+ Don’t try to get around or skip steps.
Don’t stop until the dog understands everything.
Connect the parts, preferably in reverse order (starting with the end part first)
+ Record your training sessions with your dog and review them at your leisure or with your trainer.
This is great training for becoming a better dog trainer in the future as you may learn from your past mistakes.
Keep repeating the steps while encouraging and assisting the dog.
Once your dog understands what you want and you have some confidence that they will comply, you can introduce cues (commands or signs).
Make your lessons more generic
+ Do the component training again, this time in a different room or outside in the garden, and then build up the chains. In this way, your dog might begin to understand that the routine is the same no matter where you are.
+ Keep trying new places until you have no more possibilities.
Document your training progress
By moving to a new location and repeating the exercise, you will have initiated the proofing process and determined whether or not your dog retains the information you have taught it.
There will be more things to distract you now. Repeat the initial training session, but this time include a new element to throw off your trainees’ concentration (e.g. a toy, a person, the cat).
Training your dog properly requires going back to the basics and reinforcing the idea that obedience is rewarded no matter how distracting the environment may be. In exchange for good behaviour, reward the recipient with treats or the child’s favourite toy.
When your dog makes a mistake, you should consider how you may improve their performance. If your dog is having trouble staying focused on you while avoiding distractions, try making things simpler on them by moving the distractions further away or by practising the “leave” command first.
Don’t forget to have a good time!
Think of the most inspiring instructor you ever had, because that’s the kind of person you should be to your dog.
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+ If you’re sick, weary, or irritable, you shouldn’t train until you feel better.
Just by learning some simple skills together, you may strengthen your bond with your dog and have more fun together. Live up to your dog’s ideal of a human.
Note that there are various methods of dog training. It’s important to remember that this is only one approach to education. Please consult an expert when in doubt.
