One of the best ways to spend time and build a strong bond with your dog is to teach him new cues. In so many cases, we teach our dogs every day without even realising it. By following these tips, you can make the most of every training opportunity you and your dog get.
Importance of training
Behaviourist Katherine Brown explains why training is so crucial for our dogs. “Your dog is going to have to navigate a highly complex human world involving requirements that are not quite part of his natural repertoire of experiences. Dogs are expected to toilet outside, greet visitors calmly and only chew on certain items. No digging is allowed, and neither is any degree of aggression or pulling when on the leash.
“But this is not something that comes easily to most dogs, as they are perfectly normal behaviours. If we want our dogs to live successfully and harmoniously with us, it’s our responsibility to teach them these skills and provide them with opportunities to express their innate behaviours.”
Not only will you help your dog navigate through the human world, but you will also stimulate his mind by teaching him new things. You will also build a special bond with your dog, and you will learn more about your dog, which will help you understand what your dog is trying to tell you. This is extremely important when training your dog.
Patience is key
Before you embark on teaching your dog anything, do some research yourself. Do a course or two with a reputable training school and spend time with professional people. Learn about positive reinforcement and reward-based training (see the article on page 56) and start with the basics.
Then, when you’re ready, remember that you will need patience. Don’t expect your dog to learn new cues immediately. Sometimes it will take some time before your dog grasps what you’re trying to teach him. And then you will have to practise, practise and practise some more to reinforce the cue.
When to stop
Don’t try to teach your dog for hours on end. His attention span isn’t that long. Remember that the average dog has the intelligence of a two-year-old child. Start with short sessions of two to five minutes at a time and gradually increase the sessions. You can rather have three or four training sessions of five minutes each in a day, which will work much better than an hour at a time.
Also, don’t try to teach your dog something when he is tired or not feeling well. He will struggle to focus on the task at hand. Rather let him rest or take a nap; wait until he has more energy and try again. If your dog is distracted or giving you any signs that he has had enough, stop the training session immediately.
Signs that your dog has had enough
- Whale eye If you can see the whites of your dog’s eyes, he’s clearly stressed. This sign can also be accompanied by other stress signs, like flat and pulled-back ears. Give him a few minutes to relax.
- Yawning When your dog yawns, it might not be because he is tired, but because he is not happy with the current situation. Change the training session or give him some space to relax.
- Running away Your dog has had more than enough, especially if he refuses to respond when you call him. Leave him alone for now.
- Less energy When your dog clearly shows less energy or enthusiasm and doesn’t respond with the same enthusiasm as earlier, he needs to rest.
- Turning down or grabbing treats Your dog doesn’t take any more treats, or he might snatch one out of your hand. It could be that he is full or that he is too tired to take the treat gently.
- Vocalising frustration Your dog might give you vocal signs, like a piercing bark or a grumble, to indicate that he’s had enough. It’s time to let him rest.
Rewarding
Another secret to training success is to make it worthwhile for your dog. Dogs naturally love food, and this is one way to give them a reason to participate in the session. If you reward your dog with treats or part of his next meal, you will get more of his attention. For some tips on training with treats, read the article on page 52.
The most important part of the training sessions is that they should be fun for both you and your dog. You should get enjoyment from the sessions. If you aren’t enjoying it anymore, your dog probably isn’t either. Have fun, and if you struggle, consult with a reputable behaviourist and trainer for guidance specific to your dog.
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