In order to the most out of your dog training lessons it is a good idea to keep a few things in mind. First, you need to set goals. It isn’t necessary to place equal priority on every command. For example; you may not care if your dog does a perfect heel, but you do care about good leash manners and no pulling, or you may not mind if your dog jumps up on you but you don’t want to allow them to do this to your company. Take some time to think about what is important to you so you can focus on making strategies for those training issues. Realize that some goals will take more time and patience on your part. Your expectations may change as the training progresses. You may find that having conquered your first priorities you now have other goals or higher expectations. You may find that you need to modify your expectations because the effort necessary is beyond your ambition or is unrealistic. In either case you still need to set goals and plan your training so you are purposeful in your training. Remember it is always good to ask questions.
Now let’s think about the common errors people make:
1) Training is a gradual process of which the end result is a dog that follows verbal commands. The process involves DOING something when you give a command. Saying commands louder, repeating commands, or sounding angry is NOT doing something.
2) Keeping a rope or leash on your dog when you are home and awake is the only way you can be consistent in following through. If you are not directly holding on to the leash outside make sure it is a long line. If you do not have the leash in your hand it is unrealistic to think you are fast enough to catch your dog. Make the line as long as it needs to be.
3) Know what your physical follow through is going to be BEFORE you say anything. Already have a strategy in mind. Slow down, think before you speak.
4) The 3 step training process* that I teach is very effective when followed properly. Try to understand it and only progress through the steps when your dog is ready.
5) Both you and your dog are learning new skills. If your dog is not responding it is most likely that what you are doing is confusing. Ask questions and learn to have self-awareness.
6) Learn what skills are necessary. Most people experience a feeling of awkwardness as the get comfortable with the training process. Don’t expect yourself to instantly get it. You need to exercise patience and practice with yourself as well as your dog. Ask questions.
7) Think about how training can be used in everyday real situations and use it. Training should be the manners your dog abides by all the time, not some tricks they perform for cookies or when they don’t have a better offer. Practice in a variety of places and situations. Always follow through. If you give a command and you let your dog ignore it, they heard it, they will remember they blew it off, and you are actually training your dog for selective hearing. Commands become reliable from your dog when you become reliable in following through.
8) Practice is key. Progress occurs with repititon over time. It takes many repetitions over a long period of time in different situations for you to reasonably expect your dog to really understand what is expected. The expression “Slow and steady wins the race” is especially true when training your dog.
9) Be creative. Make training part of play. Stay before chasing a toy. Come to you and play tug. Use training when your dog is distracted on walks, when company comes. Always end training with your dog doing it the right way, even if it takes a little extra time. If you end training with your dog doing it right it will build you and your dog’s confidence and comprehension. When you dog starts to really “get it” they will know it and they will experience the pride you feel. A well-trained dog will increase the bond you have more than you can imagine.
· A quick synopsis of my 3 step training program is:
· Step 1- you are holding the leash in your hand and guiding your dog as you speak, praising as your dog is compelled to obey.
· Step 2 – You are holding the leash in your hand, but the leash is loose. You give your dog a momentary chance to choose to obey or disobey. You give a leash correction only if your dog is not paying attention and disregards your command, and you use praise as your dog chooses to respond.
· Step 3 – You still have the leash on your dog, but you are not holding on to the leash, you pick up the leash and use it if your dog does not follow your verbal direction as in step 2, but since the leash is not in your hand there is a slight time delay.
· DO NOT RUSH THROUGH THESE STEPS. It is confusing and unfair to your dog
Stopping Jumping
Teaching your dog not to jump is a form of boundary training. Boundary training is essentially a dogs understanding not to cross any threshold without permission. The key to a dog’s understanding boundary training is the timing of the correction. You need to do the correction as your dog is actually starting to jump. Then praise your dog as soon as they are down. Before you begin training you may decide to make a choice on what your policy will be for jumping.
Your choices are;
#1 - No jumping at all, ever,
#2 - No jumping, except when invited, or
#3 - Jumping is OK except when told not to (this option is most appropriate for small dogs).
If you choose choice #1 (no jumping at all), then the correction needs to take place right away as your dog jumps. If you tell your dog to get down as they are jumping, then they’re understanding will be that’s it’s OK to get one free jump before getting down. If you approach it this way you are really teaching your dog choice #3.
If you choose choice #2 approach it the same way you would for choice #1 except you teach your dog an invitation to jump up, like patting your chest with the word “OK”.
If you choose choice #3; pick a command that means to stop like “Off” or “NO jump”. As you say this pull your dog gently off, or push them off. If your dog jumps after you place them off, use a correction and repeat your command.
Corrections:
You need to find a correction that will be effective for your dog. Here are some suggestions;
Mild
- A shake can (a can with about 10 pennies taped closed).
- A plant mister bottle adjusted to a jet stream.
- Bang the wall with a magazine.
- A leash correction
Moderate
- Using a harder leash correction.
- Dropping a aluminum baking sheet near your dogs feet
- Using a throw chain; a chain (like what is used to hang plants or chandeliers) in a circle configuration
Headstrong
- A series of leash corrections
- Using a collar right behind your dogs ears (either use a snap back collar, or place the slip collar high on your dogs neck)
- Using a prong collar.
- Using a sound horn. This is a nautical device often use at sporting events and can be purchased where they sell sporting goods, or at a boat store.
- Using a remote collar (remote collars, or e-collars, can be adjusted from low to high and therefore can be used even with mild mannered dogs when used at the appropriate level)
Additional tips: Remember don’t keep your dog from starting to jump. The correction must take place while they are engaged in the jumping. Praise them when they are down on all fours but keep praise low key or it will encourage your dog to jump up again. This is important because we don’t want your dog to get confused and think want you want from them is to stay away from you or people all together. What we want is your dog to understand, you may say hello, but only when not jumping and are staying on all fours in a mannerly fashion. Practice by using helpers. The helper will tempt the dog to jump by a friendly, but not overly enthusiastic greeting, acting as most people behave when meeting a dog. Have someone talk to your dog as you prepare to give the correction. Instruct the helper to calmly praise your dog when they are down. You do the correcting for jumping up. It is not reasonable to expect your visitors to correct your dog for you.
If you are using leash corrections make sure you hold the leash short, but loose. Time the correction as you dog rears up. Use the leash corrections to the side to throw your dog off balance. Leash corrections are very effective and versatile, but you need to learn how to do them correctly.
Remember, like any other advice every situation and dog is different. If you have trouble following through successfully by the advice given here, that doesn’t mean you can’t train your dog. You just may need more personal help. Don’t give up, get help!
