Training your dog ensures the right behavior in everyday situations, allowing you to enjoy the most of your pet friend. During the training period, you will have to follow a precise schedule and offer plenty of exercising opportunities for your dog to learn various tasks.
It is also true that certain training mistakes might have a negative impact on your dog’s overall progress. Even though these can seem insignificant at the moment, you might be surprised to see how big of a role they actually played. Here are five critical mistakes to avoid when training your dog.
#1 Delaying the start of the training
You should begin the training as soon as you take your puppy home. The older your pet friend gets, the harder it will be to achieve obedience. Moreover, your dog will develop negative habits and these can be quite difficult to break. You should never delay the start of the training, especially if you want to achieve great results.
Even though a young puppy might not be patient enough for complex commands, you can start slow and with easy requests. Take your time to accomplish the necessary house training and proceed with basic commands. Even when you go on a trip, you can continue the training with collapsible dog bowls for travel for more facile eating, as these can be taken anywhere and they are highly resistant to damage.
#2 Repeating the command too many times
This is known as command nagging and it can actually prevent your dog from responding at the right moment. Imagine you are asking your dog to sit, repeating the command several times. Upon noticing that your dog does not obey, you will keep on repeating it.
The dog will take this as a cue that he does not necessarily have to respond to your command immediately. Repeat the command just once, making sure that the dog is attentive.
#3 Training does not occur regularly
U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Matt Hannen with K9
In order for a dog to learn certain tasks, commands or behaviors, you have to engage him in regular training. When you train frequently, your dog’s responsiveness improves and certain behaviors become automatic. Additionally, you should strive to teach him a new command regularly, so as to ensure variety. The more diverse his commands are, the better your dog’s behavior will be. Repeat the desired commands several times per day and in different environments.
#4 Not correcting a fearful behavior
Dogs can exhibit a fearful behavior, tucking their tail, pinning their ears back and seeking out hiding spots. In training your pet friend, it is highly important to address such fears and correct the behavior. Otherwise, you might have an aggressive dog into adulthood. You need to reward and praise your dog as often as possible, so that you help him overcome his fears and become more confident.
#5 Using punishment instead of positive reinforcement
You might think that punishing your dog could make him obedient but, in reality, this is never an effective training method. Dogs respond more effectively to positive reinforcement, learning the correct behavior in a shorter period of time. You should also refrain from giving your dog mixed signals, as he will not be certain how and when to respond.
In conclusion, there are some of the most critical mistakes to avoid when training your dog. Keep in mind that your dog needs time to master various commands and present the correct behavior.