Basics of Dog Training: A Complete and Easy Step by Step Guide

Training a dog can be very challenging and difficult, especially if this is the first time you have ever trained one. However, with some understanding of the basics of dog training, it should become relatively easy for you. In this article, you will be able to learn about the dog training basics in an understandable way.

What Are Dog Training Basics?

Firstly, every training course begins with a similar knowledge base. Understanding the basics of dog training will allow you to understand the principles of it:

• The timing is crucial. Correction or reward must take place right away after the behavior or else there will be no association;
• The consistency is more important than the intensity. Daily five-minute sessions are better than a single session per week;
• Positive reinforcement is the best technique. It will be more efficient, and it is more humane to reward the desired behavior than punish the unwanted one;
• The patience plays a role in the dog training process. Remember, that all dogs learn in their own ways and therefore, comparing yours to another dog is not a good idea.

How to Begin Your Dog’s Training Process

As you see, the dog training basics are quite simple. Now let’s look how you can put them into practice:

1. Finding a quiet environment. Start training in a distraction-free zone, and then start adding distractions when your dog masters commands.
2. Learning one command at a time. Trying to train “sit,” “stay,” “come” and other commands simultaneously is a bad idea.
3. The use of small high-value rewards. The tiny pieces are better as your dog does not get full or distracted in the middle of the lesson.
4. Short sessions. The five to ten minutes should be enough; dogs tend to lose attention very quickly especially puppies.
5. Finishing with a command your dog knows. Finish each session with a known command in order to leave positive feelings to your dog.

Basic Commands You Should Train to Your Dog

When you are able to focus on certain number of commands to train your dog, these basic commands will give you maximum benefit:

• Sit: Focus and impulse control building command;
• Stay: Patience teaching command;
• Come: One of the most important commands regarding the dog’s safety;
• Leave it: Allows preventing your dog from grasping something harmful;
• Loose-leash walking: Makes your daily walks much more pleasant.

Mistakes to Avoid While Learning Dog Training Basics

Sometimes even if you are motivated, you can do some mistakes, such as:

• Training for a long period of time in one training session;
• Repeating commands several times instead of saying it once;
• Getting frustrated, because dogs perceive your emotions very well;
• Failing to train in real-world settings after training a command in a controlled environment.

Conclusion

Learning the basics of dog training will not require any special equipment or years of practice. However, with the consistent and patient application of the basics, advanced dog training will become much easier. Moreover, American Kennel Club training resources will be helpful in the future.