Dog Obedience Training and Three Basic Rules
There are dog obedience training schools where dogs are trained to follow simple commands using three basic principles as the trainer’s guide.. Most dog training and dog behavior schools use these rules. These are:
Principle One:The first rule in obedience training is to be consistent. This covers the use of words, tone, and the actions that accompany the word or command. At the beginning of training you as the dog owner or trainer must make the decision as to what guidelines you will use to teach the dog. A word or a phrase, let’s say ‘come’, does not make sense to a dog. He does not understand things the way we understand, and he does not understand the language we use.
So to make the training understandable, you should use the command in a very consistent manner such that the dog will learn to associate the word with the meaning you attach with it. If you are using the word ‘come’ make sure everyone is. The command ‘Come’ specifically means that the dog should approach the giver of the command and use it in that sense. If your dog does not come to you instantly, do not punish him when he does. This would make him attribute the command with the punishment.
Then what would you expect?He would not follow the same command since this leads to punishment. The same command used, by all people, must be consistent. For example, if you use the words ‘come’ make sure everyone in your family uses that word also, not ‘come here’.
Principle Two:The hours devoted to training and the words used as command should be kept short. Remember that the attention span of dogs is extremely short so it is almost impossible to keep them engaged in the one activity. Combining children with your puppy obedience training is an example of keeping your training sessions short as they would lose interest very quickly, so it is best to move on to the next thing.
Your dog simply does not posses the same amount of interest they had when they started the activity, they become easily bored. Training should be kept to ten to fifteen minutes and set at regular times.
Principle Three: Never hurt the dog if you want him to be trained, through force or punishment. Also, never force the dog to follow the command if he is not prepared for it or punish a dog for something he did. Whilst training the animal don’t push too hard.
The dog does not understand that he should learn things instantly and he does not realize that you are becoming impatient with the speed he is picking up the training. He only knows you are angry. Using force does not convey your meaning correctly whereas negative reinforcement does. Do not send him mixed signals, by making him feel praised for doing something wrong, only when he obeys the command, should he feel praised.
You have to be understanding and patient, especially during your dog obedience training sessions. The outcome will be a very responsive and well trained dog.
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