Understanding the Importance of Dog Obedience Training

Many pet owners never attend a dog training school, or even a dog obedience class with their pets, and end up with dogs who aren’t well trained or obedient. Part of the problem lies with how pet owners perceive their pets. Many dog lovers treat their pets like humans. Although we like to think of our dogs as having human personalities, this is a mistake when you’re training your dog.

Animal Behavior College, a leading school for dog trainers, is experienced in the proper training of dogs of all ages. Their helpful dog training tips can quickly turn your pet from an undisciplined pet into a beautifully behaved dog who is a pleasure to be around.

Be Aware of What Behavior You are Rewarding

One of the biggest mistakes dog owners make is rewarding bad behavior. A perfect example of this is reassuring your dog with lots of attention and affection if he begins to bark. Instead, wait for him to be quiet, then reward him for being silent. Keep in mind that you will need to do this repeatedly until your dog understands the link between when he stops barking and when you give him a treat, hug or belly rub.

Be Clear in Your Commands

Another common mistake made by novice dog owners is causing confusion with commands. One of the most important dog training tips there is involves how you give commands. You need to speak firmly and use a single word. Your dog will soon recognize the serious sound of your voice and understand that you mean business when you give a command if you always use the same tone of voice, which should be firm, but not angry.

Use Single Words

Using a single word for each command makes it easier for your dog to understand. Say “sit” or “quiet” rather than “sit on the floor” or “you be quiet right now!” If you use short, precise commands, your dog will quickly learn to recognize the word and understand what is expected of him.

Be Consistent

Finally, you need to be consistent with your commands. Don’t use “quiet” one day and “hush” the next. Confusing your dog will make him less likely to obey. For more dog training tips, visit Animal Behavior College where you can learn more about giving commands and training your dog effectively.