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Home > Training Tips > Basic Obedience
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Keep early training sessions short and sweet. Maintain an upbeat tone. Your dog should feel as if he has your full attention during training, and since your attention is something he craves, he should look forward to the time you regularly work together. Finish each training session with some light play or a short walk as a reward, but nothing so stimulating as to overshadow what was just learned.
Set your dog up for success by choosing times and locations to work with him in which you are most likely to command his full attention. Avoid times when your dog may be too tired to focus, or too overstimulated to think logically. Choose locations without too many distractions, but be sure to practice in various locations both indoors and outdoors.
Keep your attitude and body language as neutral as possible when correcting your dog. He should never feel that you are angry or frustrated, only that corrections are the inevitable consequence of disobedience. It is also crucial that your dog succeeds more than fails at every step throughout his training. A nervous dog will not learn efficiently, and may develop an aversion to obedience work. If your dog becomes visibly nervous or overly submissive in the course of training, you may be overcorrecting or attempting to progress too quickly. It is essential that you and your dog remain relaxed and confident during training sessions. When neccessary, you may restore your dog's confidence by returning to an exercise he knows well and praising him abundantly when he succeeds. Praising your dog sincerely for every right answer is ultimately more important than correcting his mistakes.
Remember that it is unfair to correct your dog until you have shown him how to meet your expectations. Your dog does not speak English. You must teach him what "sit" means before expecting him to respond to the command to sit. Many common obedience problems stem from a failure to adequately communicate what is expected. Working with a professional trainer can greatly enhance your training experience by facilitating clear communication between you and your dog.
Always end your obedience sessions on a positive note, with praise for a job well done.
This training tip provided by
See Spot Run
Ruth Anne Crisler, CPDT
Chicago, IL
Website: www.seespotrunkennel.com
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