Tip One: The most basic commands for dog training are the easiest. The best method to get your dog to heel, stay, or sit, is by using a physical action while you are saying the word. For example: If you want your dog to stay, you can throw a ball or a toy. Hold the dog in position and do not let them chase it. Keep saying the word ‘stay.’ When you are ready to for them to fetch, let the dog go and say good boy. You do not have to give a dog a treat for reinforcement for this command because the act of chasing the toy or ball will be reward enough.
Tip Two: When you are trying to train your dog with basic commands, you need to reinforce them anytime you can. Several times a day is best so the dog will have that training placed in their head on a constant basis. If your spouse or children try to use the same command, make sure you are all using the same technique. The dog could be easily confused if hand gesture or sound is used differently between two people. Consistency is important for many humans–and it is the same for your four-legged friend.
Tip Three: Your dog wants to please you, and training should be fun. If you are not motivated with the training, your dog will pick that up and will lose interest. Act excited and make a big deal when it is time to train. If you have a dog that loves to retrieve or chase a Frisbee, then reward them at the end of the training session with a couple of throws. They recognize the pattern that if they are successful with training they will get to play with their person.
Tip Four: Food is a powerful motivator when it comes to training your dog. Keep ‘healthy’ treats in your pocket when training and reward your dog with that treat when they follow your command. Don’t give them too much and make sure you are consistent with the amount. Though your dog can’t count, they will know when you are trying to shortchange them. Too many treats may lead to a weight problem with your dog, so make sure you know what you are giving them. If they start to gain weight, you might want to change the treat.
