Jan 16 2009
Avoid These Five Errors In Puppy Training
Every successful puppy or dog trainer follows certain principles to make their training effective. However, some do not successfully train their puppy. The most common mistakes people make when training their puppy will now be discussed.
1. They don’t set themselves up as the pack leader.
One effective method of dog training is based on our knowledge of the instinctual behavior of dogs within a pack. One of the principles the pack adheres to is dominance. There is a hierarchy at the head of which is the alpha pair, a male and a female, who are the pack leaders.
They eat first, lead the hunt and sleep on higher ground than the rest of the pack.
To be successful in dog training, we need to position ourselves as the leader of the dog pack. It is best to be on a higher level than your puppy, do don’t allow it on the sofa or on the bed with you. You should also eat some food before you give your puppy its own which allows him to see you eat first clearly.
A calm and assertive manner is important for successful training. It is important not to be nervous or indecisive.
2. They don’t employ consistently the concept of positive reinforcement.
We must clearly comprehend that we must reinforce desired behaviors in our dog by giving treats or praising the instant our dog engages in the behavior. We can link a verbal command with the behavior as it occurs and give a reward immediately after it.
Negative reinforcement such as shouting at a dog or punishing him in some way is nevertheless giving the dog attention and since he craves attention, the attention can act as a positive reinforcement rather than a negative one. It has been found to be ineffective. What is effective is to ignore the dog when it engages in an unwanted behavior. We may need to physically intervene if we need to stop some destruction going on, but we should keep the same calm and assertive manner and not give any more attention than we have to.
3. They make dog obedience training sessions too long.
Sessions should be kept short so that your puppy’s energy and attention are good. It is best for puppy to learn in short bouts. We should make the sessions only ten minutes for young puppies and up to twenty minutes for older ones.
4. They do not appreciate the sheer time and energy required to train a puppy.
Puppy training requires a commitment of time and energy in order to be successful. The owner will need to have great patience and to be persistent. He will also need to be very consistent.
5. They think that training only occurs during an organized training session.
Puppy training is happening all the time, not just in training sessions but whenever he is with you or anyone else. The owner needs to ensure that everyone who comes into contact with the puppy always behave in a consistent manner i.e. always ignoring undesired behaviors and positively reinfornce desired behaviors.
Let’s try to keep training sessions fun and enjoyable for our puppy. They should never become a chore.
For more detailed information about training your puppy or dog, see my reviews of the best dog training guides.
