Dog Obedience Training Tricks

When you are looking at a list of doggie activities and you see “obedience” in the list the term will ordinarily refer to competitive obedience. Competitive obedience is a sport. Interestingly a dog successful in competitive obedience is not necessarily a well behaved well socialized dog. It is more likely to be a pleasant dog, but it is not a given. Similarly it is not necessary to have a rigidly obedient dog in order to have a pleasant friend of the family. Because of the confusion between “obedience” and “manners training” I’ve chosen to make some comments here, then direct you to either training, behavior and socialization or competitive obedience links for more information.

Every dog should have at least some basic obedience instruction. Wait! Don’t go away in disgust, this is a wide ranging subject. If you aren’t happy with what you believe is the prevailing thought on training, explore, you just might be surprised.

Dog obedience training can improve your relationship with your dog. While obedience is a competitive sport there is also practical obedience which is not much different than teaching basic manners and communication. If you are uncomfortable with the formality and, yes, rigidity, of formal obedience you can still become a happy team in practical obedience. There are variations of the obedience game to suit every interest and personality. Rally is kind of the “Simon Says” of obedience. There is heel work to music, agility, schutzhund and drill team.

Dog obedience, whether the sport or practical, helps you gain trust in your dog. Dog owners have a responsibility to make sure that their dogs are well behaved members of our society. A dog that is taught to pay attention and to follow certain commands is usually more secure, and certainly much safer than a dog that is not well schooled. The goal is to give the dog confidence that you know what is going on so that the dog can rely on you to give it direction. That helps reduce anxiety in both dog and owner.

There are a great variety dog obedience training tricks involved. A good trainer and a good owner will adjust the dog obedience training method to suit the dog and the task. If the dog is miserable you are doing it wrong. The dog should enjoy the work. Training social skills is a continuous process. Most dogs thrive on the certainty of routine. Take the time to ask the dog to sit before you open a door or introduce it to a new person, or set its food down in front of it. Be consistent. For example, if you are trying to read and the dog is pestering you don’t say “sit” unless you are ready to put your reading aside and make sure the dog sits. Instead use the command “away” and praise the dog the moment it takes a step away from you. Use patience and continue until the dog gets the idea. Use commands only when you are ready and willing to enforce them.

Not everyone needs formal classes but classes help a lot, especially if you are new to dog ownership. Dog obedience training classes help because they provide incentive to work with your dog regularly. There is someone skilled to help with problems, and another person can more easily see things. If you are self disciplined, and are not afraid to ask questions you may make good use of books and videos. If you are going to be entirely self taught at least look around for the occasional seminar, my learning always improved by giant leaps when I had the observations of another person.

OH, yes, an editorial comment. Many people believe that if you can teach only one single command it should be “come”.I disagree!. If you can teach only one command it should be some stationary command (sit or down, even stand). If your dog escapes and is on the far side of a street “come” could be deadly. If your command means keep doing it until I tell you to do something different (i.e. also means “stay”) you can always go and get the dog. It isn’t perfect, which is why you should train your dog, but is better than nothing.

A proper dog obedience and training program is the cornerstone of good behavior in dogs. It has often been said that there are no bad dogs, only uneducated owners. Most dogs want to please their owners, but untrained dogs simply do not know how. Well-trained dogs are happier and healthier – and so are their owners. Here are some guidelines to enacting a dog obedience training program yourself.

Dog Obedience Training Tools
Effective dog obedience training does not require many supplies, but there are a few basics that will ease the process. Choose a dog collar that is suitable and comfortable for your dog. Then, decide which leash is best for training. Acquire the best gear for your dog and learn how to use it properly.

Dog Obedience Training Get Started
Before you begin dog obedience training, choose the best method for you and your dog. Training techniques vary, but most trainers agree that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, such as praise or treats. One common training variation, known as clicker training, includes the use of conditioned reinforcer.

Dog Obedience Training Lessons
Success is usually attained in small steps. Training sessions with your dog should last 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times per day. This is especially true for puppies because of their very short attention spans. Longer sessions can cause even an adult dog to become bored. Start by teaching basic commands. Often, the sit command will be one of the easiest for your dog to learn. Next, you can train your dog to lie down. At the same time, work on teaching your dog to stay. In addition, your dog should be trained to come when called as soon as possible. This is one of the most important fundamental commands. Once your dog has mastered these dog obedience basics, you can move on to fun tricks and advanced commands.

Dog Obediens Training and Troubles
Dog obedience training takes time, and you and your dog are likely to hit a few bumps along the way. Expect to see some common behavior problems, such as displays of defiance or aggression. The best way to correct the misbehavior is to interrupt it – shift your dog’s attention to something positive. Try running through commands that your dog has mastered followed by rewards. Keep your demeanor cool and confident, and be clear about what you mean. Positive reinforcement is the key to success. Do not punish your dog or become angry – it will only cause confusion. You can try to hold your dog’s attention with treats and enthusiasm, but know that it is time to end a session when your dog becomes bored or tired. Try to end sessions on a positive note. Eventually, successful training will be achieved with patience and consistency.

Dog Obedience Training Stuff
Some people prefer to leave the training to the experts. A professional dog trainer can come to your house and train your dog for a fee. You may decide that sending your dog away to a dog obedience training school for a period of time is worth the expense. Many dog owners prefer to join a local dog obedience class so they will be under the supervision of a dog training instructor without leaving their dogs with someone else. Remember, your dog will be more likely to view you as master when you are directly involved in the training process. Plus, this is another way to enforce the canine-human bond.