Are you thinking of becoming a pet parent or have already welcomed a cute puppy into your life? If yes, you must be aware of things you need to start working on as soon as you take up the responsibility of nurturing a canine life. If you have just gotten a pup home, this is the right time to start learning about how to train your dog to obey. Dog obedience training is highly recommended to all pet parents and is non-negotiable if you wish to establish a pleasant relationship with your pet. Basic obedience dog training helps pet parents’ bond with their dogs and teach them basic commands. Keep reading to learn more about how to get started with some obedience training!
How to train your pet to be obedient
Here are a few steps to get you started with basic dog obedience training:
Create a training schedule
The first step of dog obedience training is to set up a training schedule. Ideally, you can start basic dog obedience training just after a few days of getting your floof home. You don’t need to plan long practice sessions because this can tire your dog out and demotivate them. All you need is 15 minutes each day with your furry pet.
Avoid repeating commands
Dogs are intelligent creatures. They pick up on commands almost instantly and learn how to obey their owners. However, pet parents should ensure that they don’t keep repeating commands. Some dogs tend to ignore these commands because they start thinking that they have all the time in the world!
Choose a spacious training area
The key to successful dog obedience training sessions is to train your pup in a spacious area. If you decide to train your dog in a big room, ensure that you clean it properly and avoid any distractions. You can also take your pet to your yard, in a park, or wherever there is ample space for it to move around.
Reward generously
Giving your dog its favourite treats as a reward will motivate it to obey you! This is the easiest trick in the book and is fool proof. However, pet parents should not let loose and start offering treats too often. Yes, it is easy to give in when it comes to your furry friend, but some discipline is also important.
Go for walks and exercise regularly
Taking your dog for walks every day is crucial. Just like us, dogs love to explore. They can get bored easily at home and start lazing around. If your dog starts lazing around too much, it can put on weight very quickly. Dogs need to maintain their ideal weight to remain healthy. You can take your dog along for hiking trips, jogs, and more to keep things exciting.
Feed it on time
Your punctuality reflects on your dog. Your dog should be fed around the same time each day. If it is feeling extremely hungry and won’t stop barking, you can give it some treats or a small portion of food. Eating at a set time helps it learn punctuality and it will gradually get used to not wanting food at odd hours.
Patience and positivity are key
When it comes to dog obedience training, being patient is very important. You cannot rush your dog into doing things, you need to give it its space and time. Gradually, with love and yummy treats, it will learn to obey you. The best part about puppy obedience training is that it is more like bonding sessions with your pup. So run around, play fetch, give it treats every time it “sits” or “stays”, and stay positive!
Types of dogs and puppy training
Bringing a new dog home can get very overwhelming, especially if it is your first time. You will need to shop for your pup, book vet appointments, and most important of all, you will have to start with basic dog obedience training. Truth be told, training your dog will be your newest project. If you don’t know which style of training is meant for your floof, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of dog obedience training methods!
Leash training
Leash training is one of the most important steps of puppy obedience training. Besides, every dog must learn to walk on a leash because it is the safest way to venture out in the open. Other than that, local leash laws also require you to walk your dog on a leash. Using a loose leash is highly recommended for your dog’s first leash walk as it will eliminate any pulling and make it feel safe.
House and crate training
House training is also known as potty training or housebreaking. Most of us do not intend to keep our dogs outdoors. When you bring a new puppy home, it will need a place to eliminate. Yes, you will take it out for regular walks, but puppies can take some time to get adjusted to their new surroundings. Some of them also have little accidents like urinating out of excitement and nervousness. Having a crate around will make your new pup feel safe and it will eventually start eliminating there.
Socialisation
Socialising your dog with other puppies or adult dogs is essential. You must start the process at a young age so that your dog gets accustomed to co-existing. If you do not socialise your dog, it may bark or get into fights with other dogs which is not safe or pleasant.
Clicker training
Clicker training is another form of positive dog obedience training. Clicker training is not very common but many pet parents still prefer this method. Clicker training basically helps a dog understand what behaviour is acceptable and appreciated. A pet parent will “click” when their dog follows a certain command. This method can help you train your dog and teach it some cool tricks!
Basic commands
We all know basic dog obedience training commands. “Sit”, “stay”, “jump”, and more are some basic commands that you can use to train your floof. As mentioned above, dogs are intelligent animals and can learn to follow commands quickly. If you are just starting to train your dog, reward it with a small treat after every successful action!
Basic obedience dog training is highly recommended for all dogs! As a pet parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that you start training your dog at the earliest. This will not just make your life easy, but it will also help your dog’s mental health. Besides, basic dog obedience training makes sure that when your dog comes in contact with other animals, it does not start a fight or get scared. So, get started today and help improve your floof’s life!
