There goes a saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, but what truth is there in this statement? In a literal sense, very little. Regardless of a dogs age, breed, background or other factors, basic dog training can make changes for the better when it comes to your pets level of obedience. Furthermore, as you begin your training you will notice that the bond between you and your dog will strengthen immensely. A dog needs guidance on how to behave and will respect the person who shows him the right way, accepting them as their leader. Through obedience training, you can be assured that your dog will act in the correct manner around other people or dogs and as you progress, bringing them into new environments and situations should become pleasurable rather than fearful!

A common formality in dog training is to praise and reward every time your companion gets it right. Its essential that your dog is aware of when they have done something good or bad. It doesn’t necessary call for an edible treat every time but using the words “good boy/girl” for example, accompanied with a smile will also let them know they have achieved something.

Dog training requires patience from the owner. It can not be expected that your pet will pick up commands and actions straight away. Repetition is the key here and you must be consistent, keeping to the same commands and actions will make things simpler for your dog and lead to a faster understanding. It might be worthwhile to teach other family members the commands which are acceptable to avoid any confusion.

As you advance through training, test your dog in new situations and environments where there might be distractions. This will be a challenge for you both and will really show what level you are at. Your own garden or in the home is a good start but your dog is going to need to remember commands such as “sit”, when they are out on walks. Aim for a day when you can take your dog on the family vacation, in the safe knowledge that they will act responsibly under your supervision.

If your dog does misbehave, a firm “no” and wave of the finger should suffice and remember to do this in the same moment or immediately after. If you challenge him too long after the incident its likely they will not understand what you are referring to.

Training your dog should be incorporated into a daily routine. Take advantage of feeding times when you can refuse to put his food down until he has obeyed the command “sit”, or “lay”. Your dog will understand that when he abides to this simple command he will be rewarded with food. The same can apply before you take them out on a walk. Encourage them to sit before you put the lead on. By doing this you are implying a give and take rule.

The most important thing to remember is that this should be an enjoyable experience for you and your dog and a little obedience training will go along way in helping you to understand each other.

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