Dog Training Tips

Does your dog know basic doggy obedience commands? Does he come when you call him? If not, Fido may need to go back to school! Proper training is very important, both for petiquette and safety reasons. For instance, teaching Fido to Stay can stop him from running after the neighbor’s cat, while the command to Come can help you keep him from approaching dangerous animals or people. Read on as a local Omaha, NE vet offers some tips for training your canine buddy.

Keep Classes Short

Man’s Best Friend doesn’t have much of an attention span. Keep classes short and sweet, about 15-20 minutes at a time. Longer classes could bore Fido, and may be counterproductive.

Be Positive

Make sure you only work with your adorable pupil when you are relaxed and in a good mood. If you are grumpy or tense during Fido’s training sessions, he’ll quickly pick up on your frame of mind. You don’t want him forming a bad association with learning!

Curriculum

The five most important commands are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. Work on these first, and make sure your furry pal knows—and obeys—these basics before moving on to anything else. Teach one command at a time, and don’t move on until your pet has mastered each one.

Grades

Dogs learn by positive reinforcement, or rewards. Giving Fido a gold star sticker probably won’t get that cute furry tail going, and it certainly won’t motivate him to keep learning. Instead, reward your canine buddy with one of his favorite things: food. Use small treats, like pieces of kibble or cut-up hot dogs, so you don’t end up overfeeding your pet.

Consistency

There are many different methods for training dogs. Once you’ve picked a tactic, stick with it: otherwise, you might confuse your furry pupil. Being consistent is also very important when it comes to using vocal commands. Use the same phrasing every time.

Keep It Positive

Never punish your dog for doing something wrong, or for not picking up a command quickly enough. Fido doesn’t understand punishment, so you may only end up making your pet feel scared or angry. Focus on the positive by rewarding your dog for doing well.

Do you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care? Contact us today! As your local Omaha, NE animal clinic, we are here to help!