As a novice guardian (or even an experienced one), training preparation for dogs can seem like a daunting process. It is good to have some basic knowledge before you begin.
Training sessions are typically short at the start—1–3 minutes, maybe a maximum of five. You do NOT want to train for more than 15 minutes a day; break these up into three five-minute slots.
Treats are very heavily used in positive reinforcement dog training, thus you need to have a super yummy treat your dog loves (check out our treat recommendations here). Treats need to be the size of a pea or of half a human fingernail, or even smaller! A single shred of white cheese is often plenty to get the point across!
Start ALL training inside the home. Outside is equivalent to Main Street at Disney, with the Electrical Parade going on. Nobody can learn in that environment.
Keep your lessons short, sweet and FUN. Do not try to do advanced exercises until you have a good foundation, as this will frustrate you and your learner! It is imperative that the puppy enjoy learning the easy stuff to maintain their motivation to learn the harder stuff later on.
While dogs can learn to understand words, in the beginning think more along the lines of concepts, signs, and vibes. If you do not provide a clear signal, it is not that your dog is not listening, it is that they do not understand. Avoid error signaling by paying attention to your body language, hand gestures, and facial expressions.
Tone should be kept neutral and cue words (especially) should NOT be repeated or overused.
On top of the above, it’s important to keep a positive attitude and have patience. Nothing good comes easy! But with time and practice, your puppy will continue to trust you, and your bond will grow as they learn more and more.
Whether you're just starting out or brushing up, these puppy training tips combined with solid training preparation for dogs will set you and your pup up for success in your positive reinforcement dog training journey.
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