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What You Need To Know About Obedience Training Your Dog

A friendly, loyal and obedient dog is something every dog owner would like, but obedience training your dog can be difficult and sometimes it seems as if it just doesn't work.

Dogs by nature want to please their owner - it's in their genes. The reason why most owners fail at obedience training is that they either lack patience, or they are simply implementing the wrong methods.

Routine

Dogs enjoy routine so training should always, if possible, be done at the same time of day. This way your dog will know that this is not play time, it's learning time. Remove all distractions, such as toys and other pets, if you have any, so that your dog can completely focus on his training.

Keep Training Sessions Short

Although dogs enjoy completing tasks, they will get bored if sessions go on too long. Keep training sessions short and enjoyable. Short sessions prevent your dog and you from becoming bored or frustrated. One or two ten minute sessions per day is the ideal amount.

Stick to One Word Commands

Obedience training your dog is most easily achieved by teaching your dog easy, one word commands accompanied by hand gestures. For example if you want your dog to stay, simply say "stay" and raise your hand, so it's next to their face. Begin to walk backwards and continue to say "stay" in a firm manner. Dogs do not understand language past one or two word commands. Dogs read body language and tone of voice primarily. So keep calm and don't ramble at your dog.

Positive Reinforcement

Dogs respond much better to positive reinforcement than negative. If your dog does not obey a command you should never yell or strike them. Instead calmly take your dog back to the start and begin the command again. Each time your dog completes a command reward them with strokes and a treat. Praise the good and ignore the bad; this is the best philosophy for obedience training.

Patience

Some days dogs can perform commands perfectly on cue, but other days it seems like they just don't want to listen. If you try to train your dog when he's having an off day you can get frustrated and your patience can diminish.

Always be patient with your dog and never lose your temper. On these kinds of days it's best for both you and your dog if you end the training session early and reschedule for later that day, or the next day.

Obedience training your dog requires time and patience; don't expect your dog to get everything perfect the first time. Take the time to enjoy your sessions and it will be beneficial for both you and your canine friend!

By: Sandy Rutherforde

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