Now that you have your new dog or puppy, it’s time to start training.
But it’s best to do it right the first time.
If you have a young puppy, we recommend that you wait until he’s at least 8 weeks old to begin formal training. He needs to be old enough to pay attention to what you’re trying to teach.
Often, playing a game will help him learn to pay attention to you. Here’s a game designed by a well-known dog trainer that will help your dog learn to pay attention to you and have fun at the same time.
Before you begin the formal training lessons with a dog of any age, please plan to follow these keys to success:
- Be patient. Each dog is unique, and learns at his own pace. Some dogs
learn quickly; others take more time. Patience is indeed a virtue when it comes to
effective dog training! - Be kind. This goes hand-in-paw with “Be patient.” Don’t lose your temper if your
dog doesn’t “get it” right away, or appears to be ignoring you. Please do not
punish your dog for not learning quickly enough. As a matter of fact, don’t punish. - Be flexible. If your dog is struggling to learn, be willing to change your training routine. The location may be too distracting. The time of day may be too close (or far from) feeding time. The length of your training session may be too long (or too short). The training exercises may need to be broken down into smaller, simpler steps. Remember, each dog is unique. Be flexible and willing to do whatever you can to help your dog succeed.
- Be generous. Be generous with your rewards and your time. Always reward
your dog’s correct responses generously. Don’t be stingy with the treats—he’s worked hard and deserves a generous reward! And commit ample time to your
training lessons. We’re all busy these days, but this is “quality time” for you and
your dog. You’ll both enjoy and benefit from the lessons, so make sure your schedule is adjusted accordingly!
If you didn’t get your free game already, don’t forget to click below to get one before your leave.