The best environment for training your dog is your own home. You can control the distractions, the atmosphere and time. The dog will also be calmer since it is in a familiar environment. These are some tips on how to train your dog at home:
Prepare for the Training
- Before training your dog, you should know what you want to train it in. There are a lot of things to teach your dog from simple commands like ‘sit’ to more advanced commands like ‘spin’. Some commands like ‘fetch’ are better taught outdoors, however most of the basic commands can easily be taught indoors.
- Make sure to have toys, treats and other rewards to motivate your dog. Also be sure to praise your dog. Shouting and punishment will make your dog scared and nervous of training.
- While starting the training it should be done in a silent room without any distractions. Try to record the training to check how you are training your dog.
- Before training your dog, you should be in the right mindset. It is best to be positive and calm while training your dog. A dog can sense its owner’s emotions so being in a negative mindset can have a negative impact on your dog’s training.
- Try to teach your dog with its toys. Training through a game is the best way to train your dog.
Teach Completely
- Teach your dog one thing at a time. Don’t try to teach it too many things together as your dog might get confused. Once it has learned a trick or command only then move on to the next.
- Do not rush or pester your dog. Be patient and let it learn at its own pace. Some dogs take longer to learn than others. But make sure your dog is not getting too distracted.
- Check the videos of your dog training so can understand how well you are doing and what you can do better.
Generalise the Training
- Take your dogs to different rooms or the garden and do the training again. This way the dog will realise no matter where it is the command means the same thing.
- Every time your dog becomes comfortable with a room change the location of the training till you run out of places.
Test your Training
- To check if your dog understands the training go back to the first area and do the training again. This time add some distraction. If your dog doesn’t get distracted add more small distractions.
- If your dog gets distracted got back to the basic training again and help your dog get it right without getting distracted. Make sure to give treats every time your dog doesn’t get distracted.
- If your dog still can’t get it right check what you can do better. Try changing or moving the distractions.
Make the Training Fun
- Try to make the training enjoyable for both you and your dog. Think of the mot jolly teacher you ever had. Try to be the same for your dog.
- If you are feeling unwell, tired, or just not in the right mood, postpone the training for later.
- Teach your dog some fun tricks. This will help build a better relationship between you and your dog.
By using these tips, you can teach most basic tricks to a dog at home. However, some advanced commands may need a professional dog trainer.
