It is important to train your dog, regardless of its size or age. In addition to helping him behave better, training will allow you to improve your relationship. In addition, teaching your dog what he can do or not do and getting him used to always obeying your orders guarantees his safety. For example, it could help prevent yours from being hit by a car if it runs away or gets lost.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare for Training
Step 1. Get some tidbits of food that your dog enjoys
They should be small pieces, so that you can use them to reward the animal without worrying that it will gain weight. Some dogs, especially Labradors and Beagles, are extremely food motivated, so you might want to put some of their daily allowance in a reward bag and use it to reward them.
Step 2. Choose an environment with few distractions, such as the backyard
The dog has to listen to you instead of watching other animals having fun in the park. In the early stages of training, when you are still unsure of his reactions, keep him on a leash. So you don't have to scream to get his attention if he starts walking away. Simply pull it gently towards you.
Once you have learned the basic commands, you can continue with lessons in more chaotic environments - this will help the animal understand that it will have to react to orders in all circumstances and not just in the garden
Step 3. Do not subject your dog to too long training sessions
A typical program includes two 10-20 minute sessions per day. Reinforce your understanding of commands by asking your pet to sit before meals or sit still when you go for the leash.
Each dog has a different attention span. However, some breeds are easier to train than others because they are able to focus better. Among these we remember the German shepherd, the border collie, the labrador and hunting dogs
Step 4. Set realistic goals on the speed of your pet's progress
Sure, it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, but it will take more time. Don't expect them to learn as quickly as a puppy when they learn to socialize. Don't be discouraged though if progress is slow - if you are consistent, you will eventually get the desired result.
Part 2 of 4: Deciding What Type of Training to Use
Step 1. Use reward-based training methods
Some methods recommend exercising total domination over the dog, and while becoming a leader for the dog is a good idea, you should do so with encouragement and not rigid disciplinary measures. Think of your four-legged companion as a child who has to live by the house rules for the good of all.
Reward training is based on the principle that rewarding positive behaviors stimulates the dog to repeat them in order to receive the reward, while ignoring negative behaviors does not benefit the animal and will eventually quit as a result
Step 2. Learn to use the clicker, an excellent training method for dogs
You can find detailed information by reading this article. The principle is to get the dog to associate the clicker noise with a reward. To do this, you will have to issue the order and use the device at the exact moment the dog performs the desired action and then reward him.
The advantage of the clicker is that it is a more precise method of capturing the exact moment when the dog performs the required activity
Step 3. Never use a choke collar
These are cruel tools, which your dog will not love and which can cause irreparable damage to his neck. In fact, some animals have died as a result of using these collars.
Choke collars, spiked collars, and electric collars are lazy and rough training methods. They rely on fear of pain to subdue a dog and make him fearful rather than encouraging him to choose the right behavior following your order
Step 4. Do research on dog training
Borrow and purchase books on the subject from a local bookstore or library. Read books and articles on dog training, behavior and psychology to understand how they think. You will have a great advantage during the training.
Step 5. Don't scold the dog and don't hit him
Remember that scolding is not an effective training method. These animals live in the present, so if you scream, they will only feel fear and connect the negativity to you. They won't learn their lesson and your relationship may suffer. When you notice negative behavior that you want to correct, such as when the dog gets on the sofa, make a facial expression and a disapproving noise to let him know that you are not happy. Punishing him and using physical violence is useless; you would only ruin your bond.
Aggression often elicits a fear response in dogs, not a real trained reaction. If you hit him too often or too hard, he may get nervous whenever someone approaches him with a hand. In that case, if a child tried to stroke it, the animal would only see a hand ready to strike it. He is scared and may bite as a result
Part 3 of 4: Teaching Basic Commands
Step 1. Start by teaching your dog to sit
If your pet learns this command well, you will be able to control it in a variety of situations. For example, if when he hears the doorbell he always rushes to the door barking, you can interrupt his behavior by ordering him to sit down, then reward him for obeying and finally take him to a room where he will remain silent.
- To teach him to sit on command, show him a food treat you are holding. Hold it at the height of its nose, then bring it over its muzzle. Tell him: "Sit". Its head will follow the food, causing it to sit naturally. The moment his rear hits the ground, play the clicker and reward him.
- Once the dog carries out the order regularly, start not giving him the treat. This will let him know that he will not always receive a reward and that your rewards are not discounted, so he will be motivated to try harder. In the final stages of training, you only resort to food for every four to five orders that are successfully executed.
- Once the dog sits regularly on command, ask him to do so in all situations; for example, before placing the food bowl in front of him and on the sidewalk before crossing the street.
Step 2. Train your dog to sit still
You can do this by following a method similar to the "Sit" command. First, have the animal sit down, then step back one step. Say "Stop" and if he doesn't move, play the clicker and reward him, with food and praise. Gradually increase the distance, until you are able to leave the room without the dog moving.
Step 3. Teach your dog to come to you when you call him
Start in a small space, so the animal is never too far away. When he turns and approaches you, say "Come". If he continues in your direction, sound the clicker and when he arrives at his destination, reward him with cuddles and food. Keep repeating the training until he understands what he needs to do. Tell him to come whenever you feed him and on all other occasions when he approaches you.
- Encourage the dog to come towards you. Show your excitement and reward him often. Start short distances and allow your pet to return to normal activities soon after it joins you.
- This command often causes confusion, for dogs and owners. By nature, you will have the instinct to scold the animal when it comes to the 30th call. This attitude, however, will teach him that you get angry when he approaches and consequently prefer to stay away from you. Reproaching him, you would send him ambiguous messages. Therefore, no matter how many attempts you have to make, always be happy to see your four-legged friend and pamper him a lot when he arrives.
- When your dog has learned to do the command in a small room, try it out in the garden. Remember, however, that you shouldn't leave your pet off the leash in the park unless you are sure it will respond to the call. Put him on a long leash so you can pull him towards you if he doesn't obey.
Step 4. Train him to go to the toilet outside the house
If your pet is not used to only evacuating outdoors, you should retrain him as you would a puppy. Get him tired, then once home, keep him in a small room or cage (read this article for more information). Take him out every hour and when he is free, say the command "Bathroom" or "Do the needs". When he's done, give him a nice reward. Repeat this training in the morning as soon as you wake up and before going to sleep. Eventually the dog will understand that it is very easy to receive a reward, just empty the bladder in a particular place.
If he gets dirty in the house, don't punish or scold him. Instead, you should calmly clean the area with an unscented enzymatic cleaner, so as not to leave odors that could prompt him to reuse the same spot. Avoid household cleaners, especially those with bleach, as ammonia, being a component of urine, will reinforce the odor present
Step 5. Teach your dog to leave an object
To teach him the "Drop" command, start with something he might pick up, but it's not his favorite toy. Allow him to bite into it, then offer him a delicious treat in return. To take the food he has to leave the object he has in his mouth, so as soon as he loosens his grip, he commands "Release". Play the clicker when the toy falls to the ground and reward the pet. Keep repeating the training.
- Once your dog understands this command, you can use the "Leave" command to get something out of his mouth he shouldn't chew. Praise him when he turns his attention to you.
- During training, do not expose your dog to temptation. However, if he catches something that could hurt him if swallowed, push his cheeks back and praise him when he drops the object. Remember never to use force to open a dog's jaws unless it involves retrieving a dangerous item, such as a drug or scissors.
Step 6. Teach your dog not to climb on furniture
If he gets on the couch or jumps on you without permission, tell him to come down in a reproachful tone and praise him when he does. If necessary, push it down. If he jumps on you without permission, make a disapproving sound and move your knee forward to make him fall. You can also move the animal by keeping it on a leash, especially if it has a tendency to bite when you push it off furniture. Don't say anything until he's down.
Step 7. Train your dog not to jump on people, even when he's excited to meet someone
To teach your pet to go down, use food treats and a command, such as "Down".
Part 4 of 4: Considering Your Dog's Special Conditions
Step 1. Remember that you are training an adult dog who has had many experiences in the past
Training is a lifelong process that should continue regardless of the age of the animal. However, if you have rescued an adult dog or have noticed that your four-legged companion has bad habits, you will need to know the best way to train him.
Step 2. Consider the dog's health condition
First, get him examined by a vet. This will make you aware of the pet's limitations and health problems that may explain its difficulty in obeying.
- For example, if your dog refuses to sit up, he may experience pain in his hips. In this case you should give him pain medication and try an alternative command like "Stand up".
- You may also find that your dog disobeys because he is deaf and cannot hear your orders. Knowing this problem, you may start using hand signs instead of verbal commands for your dog to understand.
Step 3. Try to understand your adult dog and find out what triggers it
For example, if he is aggressive towards other dogs, is he doing so out of fear or to protect his territory? Knowing the triggers for your pet's attitude can help you retrain your pet more effectively, for example by increasing its self-esteem in the presence of other dogs or by eliminating the toys it defends.
- If your dog has a habit of running away and is an unneutered male, castrating him can be very helpful indeed.
- Work on the dog's weak spots and try to improve them. Does he have bad habits that need to be changed or is his training in general that can be improved?
- If your dog's responses are excellent, you can teach him some new tricks. Training gives you the ability to bond with him and let him know that you are in charge. In fact, training a dog that is in pain can distract and help them, as they can enjoy alone time with you and feel safe thanks to your guidance.
Advice
- Practice whispering to the dog. Doing so encourages him to listen more carefully. It will soon recognize the sounds and what they refer to without you needing to say full sentences. This is useful when indoors, to decrease noise levels around other people.
- If the dog is deaf, find a simple hand signal. Keep your palm up and move your hand quickly in the air. You should still say "Sit", as some dogs are smart enough to read lips.
- Learn what your dog likes. If you train him in a safe, fenced area, you can make him play fetch. If he prefers rope pulling, have fun with that game.
- Each dog has different tastes, so experiment with a few foods to find the ones your dog likes best. Some people go crazy for sliced sausages.
- If you don't have much time, have your dog sit or sit still to earn his meals.
