One Simple Rule for More Effective Dog Training

Many people who don't have a lot of experience in a skill often go about learning the skill in the wrong way - they often look at the tips and techniques without pausing to examine the underlying foundations and principles that make the tips and techniques work. This couldn't be more true than with dog training, in which your dog seems to only respond at certain times. If you want your dog to respond to all of your training, it's time to start applying one rule or principle that should guide all of your dog training actions.

Are you ready for it? That rule is this: set your standard and adhere to it relentlessly.

It doesn't exactly sound sexy, but this one rule will probably change the entire way your dog responds to your training. Even in human beings, studies have shown that consistent practice that looks to adhere to a certain "standard" is the most effective kind. But what exactly does "setting a standard" mean?

Let's take an example of what not to do. You're training your dog to sit, and while you keep pulling down on the leash and saying "Down!" your dog doesn't seem to cooperate. The dog just seems to want to get away and fool around, and none of your training seems to have any effect. Deciding not to waste any more of you or the dog's time, you take off the leash and let the dog go free.

Guess who just won that interaction? The dog! You set a standard (wanting to train your dog to respond to "Down") but you didn't adhere to it. Instead, you let the dog dictate what was going on. In beginning dog trainers, there is too much of a need to be "liked" by your dog. It's far more important that your dog respect you and your standards. It needs to feel that when you're training it, there's no way on earth you're going to give up until your dog does what you want it to. When your dog feels this and senses it, eventually it will start to make the connections you've been trying to teach it all along.

Does this mean you should over-train? Of course not, but there needs to be a strong element of discipline in a dog's life if it's going to train and become adjusted to your home. You can either have two dogs: a dog that doesn't respect you but sure likes you when you have food, or a dog that listens to you when you call. It's your choice.

Photo Credits: niseag03

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Dog Training, Tips for Dog Owners

Posted by Dog Training Pet on August 26, 2011 in Dog Training, Tips for Dog Owners. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.