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Introduction to Obedience Training for Dogs
Obedience training for dogs ranges from very basic to the most advanced competition level training.
Most dog owners are only interested in basic obedience training which consists of teaching your dog some basic commands.
The time it will take to train a dog will depend on your skills, a method that you use, a dog and, of course, a level of obedience you are trying to achieve.
But let me tell you, it will be time well spent!
Some of the benefits of obedience training for dogs include...
- You will develop a much closer relationship with your dog
- A well trained dog is a lot easier and safer to live with
- A well trained dog is also less likely to end up in a shelter
This is all very logical, but… what exactly does "obedience training for dogs" mean?
Obedience Training Basics
My favorite way to explain dog obedience training is to compare it to some kind of language that exists between you and your pet. Then, puppy obedience training involves you teaching that language to your puppy.
Since any language consists of words and phrases, your goal will be to teach your puppy a new vocabulary that consists of the basic commands such as…
| "Sit" | "Stay" | "Stand" | "Down" | "Come" | "No" |
Obedience training for dogs involves training your dog to obey these commands.
Here are some additional tips…
- After your puppy learns a new command, never substitute it with another word that has the same meaning. Be consistent.
- Don't repeat the same command over and over and don't combine several commands into one. For example, "No, No, No…." and "Sit Down" will only confuse your puppy. Just use a single "No" and "Sit" or "Down", not both.
Different Styles of Obedience Training for Dogs
There are two distinct styles of training your dog for obedience. One involves using a collar and leash and the other is based on positive reinforcement.
Of the two, I prefer the one that's based on positive reinforcement.
Why?
Because praise and rewards for doing things right are much more effective than punishment for making a mistake. I also feel positive reinforcement method works faster and is easier to learn for a new dog owner.
For more information on obedience training for dogs and a sample session based on positive reinforcement, visit dog behavior training page.
But to be honest, if you are new to dog training, both you and your dog will benefit from enrolling in a basic obedience class. Your dog will benefit by being trained by a professional dog trainer and you will benefit from learning from a professional dog trainer.
To get the most out of these classes, you need to be comfortable with the trainer and the training methods he or she uses. You also need to make sure the trainer is qualifyed. Visit dog obedience school to learn how to choose the best school for your puppy.
More Tips...
Here are some more obedience training tips...
- Obedience training for dogs takes time, so be realistic with your expectations.
- Begin teaching your puppy the easiest commands (Ex.: "Sit") first. As he becomes familiar with them, introduce more difficult commands.
- Keep your training sessions short, fun, and always end them on a positive note.
- As your dog learns a new command, try to incorporate it into your daily routine. For example, use a "sit" command before you put on his collar and leash before you go for a walk.
For more tips on obedience training for dogs, visit dog behavior tips page.
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