Obedience training for dogs teaches your dog you are the leader of the pack. By doing so,Obedience Training for Dogs Establishes the Pack Order Articles your dog will look to you for direction, as well as follow where you lead. When dogs are dominant over their master, they tend to be pushy and unresponsive. These dogs can also develop behavior problems as they mature, especially in larger breed dogs. So do yourself and your dog a favor, and start obedience training as soon as possible.
Things to Keep in Mind When Obedience Training Dogs
Be consistent. Establish a set of rules that everyone will use to train the dog. By using the same commands and establishing the same rules, training will be consistent and your dog will better understand what is expected.
Keep sessions short and exciting. Limit training sessions to 15 minutes each, 1-3 sessions per day. By making obedience training fun for dogs, they look forward to their next lesson.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Obedience training for dogs relies on repetition; that is the only way dogs are sure to understand what you are saying. Don’t forget to work your commands in different locations, to ensure your dog truly understands your commands!
Use a treat your dog loves best. This focuses all of your dog’s attention on you.
Be in a good mood. Obedience training for dogs is a far more encouraging place when the master is happy.
Start and end every training session with lots of playtime and praise. Give your dog a reward for working so hard for you; play ball, take a walk, cuddle on the sofa or feed him or her dinner!
Train your dog in an area with no distractions. In the beginning, this helps focus your dog’s attention solely on you.
Begin every session with the look command. This helps focus your dog’s attention on the trainer.
The Most Used Obedience Commands for Dogs
Look – Start with a treat in your hand, encourage your dog to see the treat. Cheri Honnas Say “look”, while moving the treat from the dog’s nose to your face. As soon as your dog makes eye contact with you, praise him and give him a nibble of the treat. Repeat this a few times and release with “okay.”
Sit- Hold a small treat in your hand and lure your dog into a sitting position by moving the treat from the dog’s nose along his or her head and back towards his or her ears. Don’t hold the treat too high, or your dog will jump up to get it. Give the command “sit.” When your dog sits, verbally praise and give your dog a treat. Release your dog from the sitting position by saying the release word “okay” and running backwards so he or she gets up. If your dog does not sit, you can gently guide him or her into a sitting position by holding the collar, stroking down the back and cupping your hand around and under the tail and the back of the dog’s rear legs.
Stay – Place your dog in a sitting position. Place a treat in front of the dog and, in a firm voice, command the dog to “stay.” At first, you will need to hold your dog in the stay position by placing your hand on the collar. Reinforce this command by saying “good stay.” If the dog tries to get up, correct with an “eh, eh” while holding him or her in the stay position. When your dog is calm, release him or her by saying “okay”. Increase the stay time gradually.