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Tools for Effective Dog Training
The New Puppy Guide
Dog Training Rules
1. You Get What You Reinforce
2. Maintain Appetite
Your dog should always have an appetite and their daily diet should be measured. Meals have a time limit and dessert works on dogs too!
3. Marker Signal
Use a precise indicator to let your dog know the exact moment they respond correctly. Immediately follow with reinforcement. The most important aspect of good training is the precise timing of reinforcement.
4. Socialize, Desensitize, Exercise
Regularly expose your dog to different people, places, objects, and animals beyond its usual routine. This exposure helps your dog become comfortable and develop a neutral (and calm) response to these interactions. Starting at 12 weeks, engaging in play sessions with other suitable dogs in off-leash settings becomes crucial. Know your dog’s energy and social needs and ensure you meet both!
5. Crawl Before You Walk
When taking your dog for a walk, start with just them being able to follow you enthusiastically indoors. Then, try a circuit outdoors and increase the difficulty by practicing in new environments.
6. Comfy in a Crate
You may not end up having your dog sleep in their crate or stay in it when you go out, but you will probably still need it on more than one occasion. Train them to love hanging out in it, even when you are home!
7. Short Sweet Baby Steps
Approach shaping behaviour like climbing a ladder, aiming for incremental victories and steady advancement. Keep your sessions brief and upbeat as you work through each step.
8. Turn Up Toys
Pairing your dog’s toys with food makes them more exciting. Reinforce games like Tug and Fetch, as well as anytime they are entertaining themselves appropriately. Keep favourite toys out of reach to increase their value even more.
9. Manage Bad Behaviour
Prevent your dog from practicing unwanted behaviours. While some undesirable actions are natural canine behaviours, you must teach your dog when and where to engage in them. This applies to activities like jumping, digging, and chewing.
10. Choice is Choice
Craft scenarios where your dog’s decision to listen to you proves to be the best choice they could make. This is how they develop unwavering trust in you regardless of the situation.