Dog Training Tips
Training vs Managing a Dog’s Behavior
When you train, you are changing the dog’s behavior.
When you manage, you’re changing the dog’s environment.
When you train, you’re giving the dog the opportunity to take responsibility for their behavior.
When you manage you are taking responsibility for the dog’s behavior.
When you train, you’re inviting the dog to be active.
When you manage you are taking the active role in the process while the dog remains passive.
Many dog owners are too quick to reach for a management solution rather than consider a training possibility. In our haste to solve a problem, we are perhaps depriving the dog of an opportunity to change the behavior through learning.
Training takes time and commitment but ultimately will result in changed behavior for the dog in the long term.
— Dani Weinberg in Teaching People Teaching Dogs
12 Words of Wisdom About Training Your Dog
When training your dog, focus on teaching your dog what you want it to do, not what you don’t want it to do.
With proper training, a human can become a dog’s best friend.
Consistency in training from you will result in consistency in behavior from your dog.
What you reward will be repeated.
If you are not willing to spend time with your dog and practice the skills taught in training, then don’t expect your dog’s behavior to change.
Dog training is a never-ending process of evolving. - Ivan Balabanov
Good training requires paying attention to four simple rules, otherwise known as the four D’s of dog training: distance, distraction, duration and difficulty.
Dogs do not learn overnight. As their owners, it is important to practice the three P’s: Patience, Praise, and Practice.
If you don’t train, then don’t complain.
Many people want a trained dog, but they don’t want to put in the time and effort it takes for the results they want.
Training often fails because people expect way too much of the animal and way too little of themselves. - Bob Bailey
Regular training is a key part of any happy and healthy dog’s life. In order to keep your dogs performing to the best of their abilities, they have to practice both new and old tricks for life. Athletes don’t simply stop practicing once they’ve reached a certain level, and neither should your dog. - Elissa Weimer
This is How Dog Training Works
When our children are very young we begin teaching them “please” and “thank you”. The lesson on manners doesn’t last a day, a week or even a month. For years, we remind our children to use their manners. Even after someone comments on the politeness of our children, in our absence, we continue to practice manners. I did it for so many years that my kids finally turned and said, “I know, Mom.”
This is how dog training works. It isn’t enough to just teach a command to a dog. It isn’t enough to just practice 45 minutes a day, a few times. It isn’t enough to practice for the 10 or 12 weeks that you are working with a trainer. It isn’t enough to practice when you find the time. You must remind your dog on a daily basis until your dog is like, “I know, Mom” (meaning they automatically exhibit the desired behavior every time they face a situation).
This means reminding your dog every single time they leave the house, when they greet someone, when they want to eat, when the family watches TV, when they go for a walk, play in the backyard, when they pass dogs, in the car, etc.
We rightfully dedicate our lives to teaching our children right from wrong - until they are grown. Sometimes even when they are grown.
When it comes to our dogs, we throw our hands up in frustration almost immediately. Why do we expect our dogs to exhibit proper behavior in just a handful of weeks? Let’s paint a clearer picture of dog training for dog owners. Doing so helps dogs succeed. -
Source: International School for Certified Dog Trainers
