Training Tips

1. Reward your dog...

Give your dog a treat or praise when he does want you want him to do. You must do this quickly so he can associate the reward with his actions, otherwise he will not know why he is getting a treat. ProReward and ProTrain are highly palatable and easy to handle. With these as an incentive you dog will quickly learn what he needs to do.

2. Never punish him...
Scolding, shouting and hitting your dog will make him associate you with negative things. Positive reinforcement (using treats and praise) is far more effective in the long term. Other methods such as ignoring him or standing still (if you are walking your dog on a lead) can work well by teaching him that some actions lead to a treat and some get no response.

3. Be consistent...
Make sure the messages you are giving your dog are clear and consistent and keep the words and tone of your voice for different commands the same so he doesn’t get confused. Agree what your dog will and won’t be allowed to do and stick to it. Don’t let him get away with things as a puppy that you wouldn’t want him to do as an adult dog.

4. Keep sessions short...
Don’t try to do too much in one session or for too long, focus on one thing in particular and practise what he already knows. If you try and teach him too many different things at one time it may be difficult for him to understand. Your dog will get far more out of learning little and often.

5. Have fun...
Dogs love to play and training should be an extension of this, to him it should be a game you both enjoy. If it’s not going well just stop and try again another time or go back to something he knows and understands. If you get stressed and agitated your dog will pick up on it and if it’s not fun he won’t learn.