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How to Train Your Dog

The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Your Dog Manners

By Jason LayPublished 4 years ago 6 min read

In your dog’s mind, there’s nothing more fun than playing fetch with an old shoe. All that running around and jumping on things is exhausting, but it sure is fun! And if you ever throw that shoe again...Your dog doesn’t see this as a boring errand, but rather a hilarious game to be played whenever possible. But what if you want to teach your dog some manners? How can you make sure they don’t annoy the neighbors or drive you crazy? That’s where training your dog comes in handy. Training your dog isn’t exactly rocket science, but it does require patience and dedication. After all, dogs have their own personalities and learn at different rates depending on their breed, their age, and even their current mood. However, once you understand how to train your dog properly, it should become much easier over time.

The 3 Steps of Effective Dog Training

Before we get into the details of how to train your dog, it’s important to understand the 3 steps of effective dog training. The first step is to understand your dog’s behavior. The second step is to establish what behaviour you want to see in its place. And the third, and perhaps most important, step is to reinforce that behavior. These steps are important because they help you understand the dog training process. Even professional dog trainers need time, effort, and patience! If you want to be successful, it’s important to have a good understanding of these steps.

Step 1: Understand Your Dog’s Behavior

Before you can even think about training a dog, you need to take a step back and understand its behavior. This might sound like common sense, but it’s important to note that every dog is unique. This means you should keep an eye on your dog's behavior and take note of any oddities. This will help you get a better understanding of your dog and ultimately make training them much easier. Some things to keep in mind when observing your dog’s behavior include: What is your dog’s daily routine? What do you feed your dog? What does your dog like to do? What does your dog dislike? What is your dog’s energy level like? What time is your dog’s bedtime? Where does your dog like to sleep? How often does your dog relieve itself? Does your dog have any preferences when it comes to toys? You may not learn all of this information during the first day of observing your dog, but it’s important to take note of your dog’s behavior as much as possible. You’ll want to take note of every little thing, because it could help you better understand your dog—and ultimately make training them easier.

Step 2: Determine the Desired Behavior

Now that you have a better understanding of your dog’s behavior, it’s time to establish the behavior you want to see in its place. There are a few different ways to do this. The first way is to create a reward system. A reward system is important because it gives your dog something to look forward to. It’s also something that your dog can really get excited about. Rewards can vary depending on the dog and the situation. Some dogs may enjoy treats, while others may prefer playing fetch with their favorite slippers. You may even want to reward your dog with a massage once in a while. The point is that you want to reward your dog—and make it something worth getting excited about. The second way to establish the behavior you want is to use a command. Commands are important because they help your dog understand what it is that you want them to do. It’s also important to note that you don’t want to use the same command over and over again. Doing so could mean that your dog becomes bored and thus uninterested in following your commands.

Step 3: Strengthen That Behavior

Now that you’ve established the behavior you want from your dog and rewarded them for their good deeds, it’s time to reinforce that behavior. Reinforcing your dog’s behavior has many benefits. It helps your dog feel more confident, it shows your dog that you appreciate their efforts, and it makes training a whole lot easier. There are many ways to reinforce your dog’s behavior, but one of the best ways to do so is through positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is when you reward your dog for good behavior with something that they enjoy. You can also offer your dog praise for the good work they’ve done. It’s important to mix positive reinforcement with your regular training as well. That way, your dog knows that you appreciate their efforts even when they don’t get anything out of them.

What to Expect When Training Dogs

Are you beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel? Or are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this information? It’s normal to feel a little bit of both, especially if you’ve never trained a dog before. But trust us when we say that it’s worth it if you want a well-behaved dog! When training your dog, expect to go through many different stages: The first stage is that your dog will resist the training. This shouldn’t be surprising. After all, your dog has done things one way their entire life, and now all of a sudden they’re expected to change. This is why it’s important to remain patient throughout your dog’s training. The second stage is where your dog becomes accustomed to the training. They might even begin to enjoy it a bit! At this point, you might even notice occasions where your dog goes out of its way to do what they’ve been taught. It’s a good sign that you’ve trained them properly. The third stage is when your dog becomes bored with the training. This might sound like a bad thing, but it’s actually a great thing. This means that your dog is happy with what they’ve learned, so there’s no need for additional training.

How to Train Your Dog to Come When Called

This is one of the first commands that owners tend to teach their dogs. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t start teaching your dog to come when called until they’re at least six months old. You should also make sure that your dog isn’t overly tired before attempting to train them to come when called. You don’t want to exhaust your dog, but you do want them to be in a state where they’re able to focus on you and your commands. The best way to train your dog to come when called is to have him sit or lie down. Then, call their name while clicking your fingers. Once your dog looks at you, reward them with a treat and lavish them with praise. You can then try calling them again. If your dog doesn’t come when you call them, try walking toward them and calling their name again. If your dog still doesn’t come when called, you can try repeating the steps once more. Training your dog to come when called can take a few weeks, so don’t get discouraged if your dog doesn’t get it right away.

How to Teach a Dog to Stay With You

This is a great command to teach your dog, especially if you often find yourself in busy areas like shopping malls or parks. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t start teaching your dog to stay with you until they’re at least six months old. You should also make sure that your dog isn’t overly tired before attempting to train them to stay with you. You don’t want to exhaust your dog, but you do want them to be in a state where they’re able to focus on you and your commands. The best way to train your dog to stay with you is to have them sit or lie down. Next, walk towards them and gently place one hand on their chest. Make sure that your dog’s eyes are focused on you. Then, command them to stay. If your dog stands up or moves, gently push them back down and command them to stay again.

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About the Creator

Jason Lay

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