BEING CONSISTENT!!
In my humble opinion, the key to training animals or teaching humans is being consistent. This may sound simple, and it really is, however, it encompasses a great many things:
1. Consistent command words: Animals do not do synonyms. No, stop it, QUIT and knock-it-off are all completely different to our dogs. We know what we mean, they are clueless as to our intended message when we use different words. Make sure everyone in the family knows and uses consistent command words.
2. Consistent command SIGNALS: If you are using hand signals, or some type of body language for training your dog, and I highly recommend that you do, make sure it is the same signal every time. Slight changes can have different meanings, especially since dogs communicate so much with body language. If your dog already knows the verbal command, add a hand signal every time you say it and pretty soon, quicker than you would believe, they will be responding to the command from hand signals alone. Along the same lines, be aware of what your body is doing while giving commands as well, your body may be saying something that you do not intend to.
3. Consistent training level expectations: If you are just starting off on teaching a command, set a goal that is appropriate for your dog's age, breed and training level. Gradually increase your expectations as your dog meets their training goals. If they are having an issue, take a step back to basics and maybe try a different training method to "explain" what you want. On the other end of the spectrum, don't lower your expectations just because you or your pooch are having a bad day. Sometimes we may have to end a training session because of an issue but try to end it on a positive note with a success. For example, if you are working on down-stay and puppy cannot make it a full 3 minutes, although they usually do, try doing 2 minute down~stay with a come command at the end and praise. ---This assumes they know come really well.... so that we are ending on a positive note. It also helps to try and figure out why they may have not listened--are they hurting or was it a bad case of the puppy wiggles??
4. Consistent exercise: A tired pooch is one that is much less likely to get into trouble, and he is also more likely to be able to listen and focus during your training sessions. You are crazy if you think your dog is going to be able to go from crate to obedience training without letting off some steam first. We try to walk our dogs every morning about a mile and a half. They are let out for a quick romp at lunch and then we usually do an activity in the evening that involves training, exercise and socialization. A weekend hike is a great way to get all of this done at the same time and we all have a blast. Figure out what works for your furry family, but do get that exercise in some way. It is good for you and your pooch. If you do not already know, Meetup.com is a wonderful place to join groups of people with all kinds of mutual interests. This is where we found our hiking with dogs group and it is a fabulous way to spend a weekend morning!
5. Consistent rules: Our dogs need us to be the leader and set the rules. They do not understand that a behavior is kinda okay in one place but not another. It is either is or is not. With our kids, we can tell them that it is okay to shoot straw wrappers at each other at a fast food joint but not at a nice sit down restaurant and they understand that. That does not work for dogs quite as well. For example, dogs don't really understand that invading one person's personal space by jumping on them may be okay but this other person it is not. Set the rule and enforce it. No means no, nothing else, not maybe and not kinda sorta.
6. Consistent tone: Let your dog know when they have done well and use your higher pitched praise voice and let them know "Good sit!", "Good down!", "Good dog!" It should be clear by your tone that they have done well. Watch how quickly your dog responds to that happy, high pitched voice. It really does not matter what you say but truly matters HOW you says it. That takes us to the other side of the coin. The stern NO voice. Say "NO!" like you mean it- deeper low tone. Keep these things in mind when you are giving commands as well. Come, especially when you are teaching the command, should be a happier tone--hey, party's over here, COME join me! Stay on the other hand, tends to be given in a lower, stern tone--"Staaaaaaay!!
7. Consistent praise: Be sure to let your dog know when they have done well, especially as they are beginning. This is one area where, as your pooch learns the command, praise and paychecks (treats and affection) may become less frequent, but they should still be a consistent part of training. The harder the behavior is for the dog to learn, the more you want to reward a step in the right direction and more frequently. For example-a dog who is playing on a log lead may be more interested in playing with the stick they have found than listening to the COME command. A high energy terrier may have a hard time with the DOWN~STAY, so more paychecks, more often. Once they seem to have a basic understanding of the behavior, start expecting more before rewarding. 30 second SIT~STAY, 45 seconds, a minute....and eventually 3 minutes, then 5....and eventually your dog is doing the SIT~STAY like a pro.
8. Consistent socialization: This is extremely important, especially for puppies. Take every opportunity to take your pooch a variety of places, to see a variety of people, places and things. Not once, not twice, but many times so they have a consistent exposures to the world. This builds confidence and sociability and keeps them relaxed in a variety of situations. Many dogs can learn obedience, and very quickly, but if they are missing this vital component, then what is the point of having a vicious, frightened dog who can SIT~STAY really well?
9. Consistent expectations: Be consistent in setting goals and in giving your pooch the tools to meet those goals. This may mean breaking a behavior down into parts and then gradually bringing those parts togther in a process called chaining. I just posted a great article on my page about this by Gemini K-9 that I recommend you read.
That is all for today. Work hard, discover your inner trainer and you too can have a dog where people say "Wow, I wish my dog could do that!"
4. Consistent exercise: A tired pooch is one that is much less likely to get into trouble, and he is also more likely to be able to listen and focus during your training sessions. You are crazy if you think your dog is going to be able to go from crate to obedience training without letting off some steam first. We try to walk our dogs every morning about a mile and a half. They are let out for a quick romp at lunch and then we usually do an activity in the evening that involves training, exercise and socialization. A weekend hike is a great way to get all of this done at the same time and we all have a blast. Figure out what works for your furry family, but do get that exercise in some way. It is good for you and your pooch. If you do not already know, Meetup.com is a wonderful place to join groups of people with all kinds of mutual interests. This is where we found our hiking with dogs group and it is a fabulous way to spend a weekend morning!
5. Consistent rules: Our dogs need us to be the leader and set the rules. They do not understand that a behavior is kinda okay in one place but not another. It is either is or is not. With our kids, we can tell them that it is okay to shoot straw wrappers at each other at a fast food joint but not at a nice sit down restaurant and they understand that. That does not work for dogs quite as well. For example, dogs don't really understand that invading one person's personal space by jumping on them may be okay but this other person it is not. Set the rule and enforce it. No means no, nothing else, not maybe and not kinda sorta.
6. Consistent tone: Let your dog know when they have done well and use your higher pitched praise voice and let them know "Good sit!", "Good down!", "Good dog!" It should be clear by your tone that they have done well. Watch how quickly your dog responds to that happy, high pitched voice. It really does not matter what you say but truly matters HOW you says it. That takes us to the other side of the coin. The stern NO voice. Say "NO!" like you mean it- deeper low tone. Keep these things in mind when you are giving commands as well. Come, especially when you are teaching the command, should be a happier tone--hey, party's over here, COME join me! Stay on the other hand, tends to be given in a lower, stern tone--"Staaaaaaay!!
7. Consistent praise: Be sure to let your dog know when they have done well, especially as they are beginning. This is one area where, as your pooch learns the command, praise and paychecks (treats and affection) may become less frequent, but they should still be a consistent part of training. The harder the behavior is for the dog to learn, the more you want to reward a step in the right direction and more frequently. For example-a dog who is playing on a log lead may be more interested in playing with the stick they have found than listening to the COME command. A high energy terrier may have a hard time with the DOWN~STAY, so more paychecks, more often. Once they seem to have a basic understanding of the behavior, start expecting more before rewarding. 30 second SIT~STAY, 45 seconds, a minute....and eventually 3 minutes, then 5....and eventually your dog is doing the SIT~STAY like a pro.
8. Consistent socialization: This is extremely important, especially for puppies. Take every opportunity to take your pooch a variety of places, to see a variety of people, places and things. Not once, not twice, but many times so they have a consistent exposures to the world. This builds confidence and sociability and keeps them relaxed in a variety of situations. Many dogs can learn obedience, and very quickly, but if they are missing this vital component, then what is the point of having a vicious, frightened dog who can SIT~STAY really well?
9. Consistent expectations: Be consistent in setting goals and in giving your pooch the tools to meet those goals. This may mean breaking a behavior down into parts and then gradually bringing those parts togther in a process called chaining. I just posted a great article on my page about this by Gemini K-9 that I recommend you read.
That is all for today. Work hard, discover your inner trainer and you too can have a dog where people say "Wow, I wish my dog could do that!"
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