Essential Dog Training Tips and Principals

Many people don’t realize that in order to train their dogs, they must train themselves first. It isn’t as easy as it might look and dog training often requires more effort from the trainer than from the dog! However, there are some basic dog training principals, that if followed, will ensure a positive and productive training program and relationship with your dog. Even if you’re a first time dog owner, following these simple dog training tips will put you on the right track.

Tip #1 - Maintain an “alpha” attitude

Dogs are very similar to their wild relatives in that they rely upon a pack for survival and social acceptance. Like wolves, dogs will also defer to an alpha. In this case, you must be the alpha. This doesn’t mean that you have to be aggressive or mean. The alpha is, rather, someone that the dog trusts to fulfill her needs and lead her safely through life.

Being the alpha requires confidence. You must act like you know what you’re doing. You must project this energy, even if you are secretly unsure of yourself. Making eye contact with your dog will help. You will know that you have her attention, and she will know that she has yours. If you are calm and firm, your dog will learn to recognize you as an alpha. This will increase her trust and her desire to listen to your commands.

Tip #2 - Remember that timing is important

It doesn’t do any good to correct bad behavior after it has already happened. If your dog has scattered the garbage across the floor but has since moved on to another activity, you’ve missed your opportunity to correct him. Your dog needs to be corrected only when caught in the act. Even seconds afterwards he won’t associate the correction with the action. Likewise, reward has to be given precisely at the time he is executing whatever command you give him. We can’t emphasize enough the importance of split second timing in successful dog training. It has to be exact and any good dog trainer will conduct training exercises understanding this fundamental dog training principal.

Tip #3 - Be Consistent

This dog obedience training tip is as important as timing and attitude. Once you've established a rule for your dog, you must never allow him to break it. If you don’t want your dog sleeping on the bed, resist the urge to call him up to snuggle on a cold winter night. He’ll get the idea that sleeping on the bed must be okay, and you’ll have to begin this part of his training all over again. You should also be careful to be consistent in your use of training techniques. Don't switch from technique to technique unless you're certain that your first method is not working.

Tip #4 - Use a reward system

Dogs love to get treats. They love to be praised. Nothing makes a dog happier than to know she has pleased her owner. Chances are you will need to correct unwanted behavior with firm (but never mean) reminders. But simply saying “no” all the time is not enough. It is better to reinforce good behavior than to punish bad.

After you’ve made a correction, reward your dog with treats and with praise for changing the behavior. Treats should also be used when no mistake has been made. If your puppy potties outside without first making a mess in the house, let her know that you are happy with her. Tell her she has done a good job by saying “good potty,” (or whatever word or phrase you have chosen). Then give her her favorite treat.

This is an extremely important puppy training tip – remember – they’re just children! They won’t understand punishment and rewards for good behavior work.

Tip #5 - Don’t be afraid to ignore the dog

In some cases, withholding affection is the best way to correct a dog for unwanted behavior. If a dog likes to jump, don’t push him away and say “off” or “no.” This will only give him the attention he wants. Instead, try turning away from him. When he follows, continue to turn away until he stops jumping and either stands or sits and waits patiently. Once he has done this, you can pet him and say “good off.” He will learn that he gets attention for staying off, and not for jumping. This technique also works with other problem behaviors such as begging for food or barking for attention.

Tip #6 - Have patience

Training a dog, whether she is a puppy or an adult who has developed bad habits, takes time and effort. It is likely that you'll quickly see an improvement once you've applied these techniques. But you will need to be patient with your dog.

She is still learning. Conditioning her for good behavior will not happen overnight. Even the most intelligent of dogs normally need a minimum of a week of repetition before learning a command and then maintenance teaching periodically for years.

And don’t be discouraged if one dog responds more quickly than another. Dogs, like people, learn at different paces. It is important that you allow them the time they need to understand what is expected of them. They want to make you happy. If you're patient, your dog will improve, and your experience together will be much more enjoyable.

Dog obedience training should be one of the cornerstones of your relationship. Done properly, with positive reinforcement and with patience, it will be an activity that both you and your dog will enjoy and look forward to. These principals are pretty basic dog training tips, but they’re important. And they work. For a full and comprehensive list of dog training tips, check out Secrets To Dog Training.

Back to top of Dog Training Tips