Dog Training Tips: Setting your pup up for success

Training your dog isn’t always easy. Whether you’re trying to start your puppy on the right track or attempting to counter aggressive behavior, dog training can feel like a chore. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We’ve put together our top dog training tips, helping to make your training sessions fun and setting both you and your canine companion up for success.

1. Choose a quiet environment

The location of your training sessions is critical. Try and choose a quiet environment where your dog won’t be distracted. This could be a quiet room in your home or a secluded field. Starting your training sessions in a quiet environment will aid your dog’s concentration, allowing them to get the most out of their training session.

Once your dog has learned a new trick, you can then try this in a busier environment to test whether your pup can ignore distractions.

2. Keep training sessions short

Dogs have a limited attention span and you might notice that your canine becomes overwhelmed or bored after a while. That’s why it’s important to break your training up into short but regular sessions.

10-15 minutes each day will be far more effective than a 2-hour session once a week. Short and regular bursts of training will maximize your dog’s attention span and help them to get the most out of their training sessions.

3. Be patient

It’s important to remember that just like us, dogs learn at different speeds. Some dogs may pick things up quickly whilst others may take longer. You’ll need to be patient. Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t pick things up straight away – perseverance is key here.

4. Consider your rewards

All dog training should be reward-based. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to stock up on thousands of treats for dog training.

You’ll need to find what your dog responds to. This could be praise, a favorite toy, clicker training, or food. If you do decide to use treats for dog training, you’ll need to either limit these to a couple per session or look for a healthier alternative to commercial dog treats. This could include small pieces of chicken, slices of apple, or fresh vegetables.

Ending your training session by offering to play with your dog’s favorite toy is a great way to introduce a non-food-based reward into your training and may just be the only motivation that your canine needs.

5. Hire a Dog Trainer

One of the most effective ways to train your dog is by hiring a dog trainer. After all, they’re the experts when it comes to training your pup. They’ll know the most effective techniques for your dog’s breed and temperament, helping your dog to achieve the results you’re looking for as quickly and effectively as possible.

Whether you’re looking for a Dog Trainer at home or dog training classes, you can find a Dog Trainer on Bark.