A Good Dog

Lesson Notes

Welcome To Dog Training 101

Here are some helpful hints for you to observe while training your dog!

1) Dog Training is nothing more than habits.  We all develop habits by doing things

     repetitively and consistently.  Everyone in the household needs to be on the same

     page regarding commands, how to say them, and when to say them.

2) Dogs communicate verbally and physically.  Just as we do. 

                a) Commands:  Just that.  You are telling your dog to do something, not asking.

                b) Praise:          Should be warm and sincere.  You are communicating approval

                                          rather than affection. Praise your dog according to what he/she

                                          has just done.  “Good Sit”  “Good Down”

                c) Corrections: Firm tone of voice.  Do not YELL.  Your dog is not deaf, and if

                                           they were, yelling would not do any good anyway.   Remember,

                                           it is the behavior we are correcting, not the worth of the dog.

                                           Anger has no place in correction.  But remember, to make the

                                          correction a worthwhile correction, something that the dog will

                                          remember the next time he/she is tempted to do that behavior

                                          again.

3) Don’t work any one exercise for such a long time, that what you are actually achieving

    is a corrections for your pet.  If rover has done very well in a short period of time, stop,

    come back and do another short session in 20 minutes.

4) Vary the times and locations of your practice sessions.  Work indoors, outdoors, all

    reasonable forms of weather, the vet, the pet store, ect….

                a) Practice at least 3 10-minute sessions a day, for older dogs.  7 or 8 5 minute

                    sessions for puppies, or some dogs the first week.

                b) Each sessions should include 5 repetitions for 5-minute sessions.  15 reps for

                    10 minute sessions.  This is of each command.

                c) Lots and Lots and Lots of PRAISE

                d) Correct with the proper amount of intensity.

5) Begin and End each session on a positive note.  Make it fun.  Use treats, something

     really special, that the dog only gets for training.  Put his/her favorite toy away, and

     use it as a reward after each session---a quick 2-3 minute play session.

6) The key to training any animal is to establish a bond of trust and communication. 

    Remember that dogs do not speak English, and we must teach them our language as we

    teach them.  Remember to be fair and just.

7) Teach new lessons in a distraction free area, gradually adding new distractions only

     after the dog has demonstrated that learning has occurred.  Be gentle until then. 

8)  Carefully plan each session, anticipate how your dog is likely to perform and how you

     will respond to that performance.  For instance, know the area you are working in. 

     Know where animals are, and how your dog will react, and how you will either praise

     or correct.

9) Give one single, clear command, and then proceed with absolutely no hesitation on

    your part as to your next move.  Heel, and start walking like you expect your dog to

    follow.  If you  hesitate, so will your dog.

10) Only give a command once, then follow through with it.  If you say, “sit” “sit” “sit”

     “sit”, then your dog learns to sit after you say it 4 times, as opposed to the first time.

11) NEVER EVER give a formal command that you can’t back up! 

12) Don’t train if you are ill, irritated or frustrated, and don’t train if the dog is sick.