Dogs are not easy to train and I have come to learn this with my own hands. Lapses are the common occurrence amongst new and experienced owners and hence are very easy to slip into your training.

It is important to know where things might go south in the training process as a way of making a positive change in the success of the training for the both of you and your furry companion.

Why Training Your Dog the Right Way is a Big Deal

Therefore, taking your dog for training is not only about teaching your pet basic commands like sit or stay. It is about establishing a good behavior pattern, a good communication pattern and even a good feeling towards each other.

Training enables one to ensure that your dog is aware of what he or she is supposed to do, this also helps to foster a good relationship with your dog. Without it, you may experience such things as behavior problems, confusion and frustration.

The good news? Well done it is possible to make training a positive experience for all participants and thus avoid most pitfalls!

Quick Tip: Initially, you should only dedicate 10-15 minutes of your time to the training so that your dog would not get too stressed. I have learnt that they improve best with practice and time!

Mistake 1: Oops! Inconsistent Commands are Confusing Fido

It is most crucial not to be consistent in training since it is one of the primary causes of failure during dog training. They should use one voice and one set of signs for one command because if they change the words or the action that go with a command the dog will get confused.

For example, if you tell your dog to “come here” the first day and then make the same command as “come” the next day for the same action then your dog will just be confused.

Make sure and stick to basic and precise instructions. It is important that all the members of your household are consistent in the use of the words and signs for each behavior. This will only reemphasize and pass on the message to the dog and hence gain faster understanding from your pet.

Mistake 2: Forgot the Treats? Don’t Neglect Positive Reinforcement

Dogs love a good pat on the back and other such encouragement but some owners leave their dogs unappreciated for their good deeds. To some extent, failure to prompt often deters the pets from realizing which actions are correct and which needs to be utilized in the consistent practice. Leaving out the reward makes the training process to be lengthy and unproductive for both of you.

This means that you should always reward your dog after it obeys a command or does what you want it to do. Regardless if it is through giving a treat, saying something they like or even allowing your pet to play, positive reinforcement helps the dog learn that he did something right by encouraging him to do it again. This is where the timing of the reward comes into the picture – the reward must be meaningful and timely!

Quick Tip: Ensure you use high value rewards such as small pieces of chicken or cheese to have a strong influence in such training sessions.

Mistake 3: Punishment? Nope, Let’s Guide with Love Instead

There are those who think that they should correct their dog for improper behavior because it will yield better outcomes. However, use of punishment all the time leads to problems of fear, anxiety, and most importantly absence of trust. One may not know what it did wrong and all they learn in return is to be afraid of you.

It means that schools should shift from punitive measures towards teaching and correcting the learners. Distract your dog if it makes a mistake: if your dog does something wrong, instruct him to do something right instead. For instance if they are biting something they shouldn’t be, replace it with a chew toy and reward him when he uses it.

Mistake 4: Patience is Key (Don’t Rush the Pups!)

Learning a dog also takes time and it does not take a short time in order to see the results that are wanted. There are instances that some owners get annoyed if their dog fails to understand what is being taught when training is going on. This is because forcing your dog to go through it or making them do it a lot of times can make the process stressful to both of you.

Turn down your expectations so that your child progresses at a realistic pace during this time. Dogs are different when it comes to learning and so you need to persevere and give him enough practice to grasp new instructions. Reward those few successes as often as possible and practice should be kept brief and upbeat where possible.

Mistake 5: Skipping Social Time? Your Pup Needs New Pals

Promotion is another form of training and socialization is being trained but few people pay attention to it. Dogs require to be trainable and be exposed to different environments, people, and other animals so as to exhibit the correct behaviors. In lack of stimulation, socialization your dog may develop stress or become aggressive when placed in different environments.

Do not wait until your dog is fully grown before you socialize him or her. Walking them to other areas and meeting new people as well as letting the dogs play with other friendly dogs is advisable. A well-socialized dog is generally more assertive which makes the training process more effective.

How to Sidestep These Pitfalls and Train Like a Pro

After reading this article, you can be aware of those mistakes which you should not make to become a more effective trainer. Here are some final tips to ensure success:

• Be consistent: Do not change the given commands and insist on sticking to the same routines. Repetition is really important in order to teach your dog right from wrong.
• Use positive reinforcement: Every time, whenever your pet dog does something right, you must always make sure to give him treats, praise or, engage in playful activities. This way your dog will have something which it will look forward to every time it undergoes training.
• Be patient: This is an obvious observation, but for some reason, it is easy to forget when it comes to training employees. Take your time, which means don’t rush the process and remember to acknowledge each mini wins.
• Keep it fun: Ensure that training options are interesting and that fun is incorporated into the sessions. These are fun so that your dog can be willing to learn.
• Socialize often: This means that the more often your dog is taken out of its familiar environment and introduced with other stimuli, the happier and better rounded a dog will be.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’re well on your way to training a happy, well-behaved dog! Remember, the right tools can make all the difference. 

If you’re curious about which dog training tools can help turn your troublemaker into a well-behaved pup, don’t miss out on this fantastic guide. You’ve got this!