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Strategies To Help Insure Successful Dog Training
After providing a safe home, veterinary care and nutritious food, the best thing a pet owner can do for a dog is provide adequate behavioral training. Some of the issues that result in pet surrenders can be traced to behaviors that might have been quashed had the dog undergone thorough obedience training.
All dogs can benefit from learning basic commands, and the RSPCA says successful training is a rewarding part of dog ownership. There are many things one might want to teach a pet and a variety of strategies to pursue that training. These tips can help anyone successfully train their dog, leading to an even stronger relationship between owner and pet.
Elect a dog trainer. If a dog resides with many people in the household, select one person who will be the primary trainer to establish the ground rules of the training sessions. If multiple people bring various styles to the dog training, that could result in inconsistencies that confuse the animal. Once the training sessions have proven successful, the trainer can share what he or she is doing with others in the home and they can mimic the same commands and gestures.
Use positive reinforcement. According to Small Door Veterinary, almost all vets agree that positive reinforcement training is the most effective method of training a companion animal. This type of training rewards good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. The American Kennel Club says training is more successful when owners identify what the dog finds rewarding. Some dogs are very food-motivated, while others might be willing to work for play sessions or just verbal praise.
Consistency is best. Always use the same word and intonation when asking a dog to do something. Everyone in the home also needs to be on the same page with rules, which means that if one person says "no" to the dog on the furniture and another says "yes," the dog will end up confused.
Patience is key. Although dogs can read human body language and gestures, they do not actually comprehend all language, says the AKC. It can be some time before a dog understands all training requests.
Start small and build up. Teach a dog commands incrementally and reward each step of the learning process. For example, reward the "stay" command even if the puppy only stays for a second or two. Later on, build up to longer durations of staying still.
Praise small things. It is easy to get caught up in the end goal of training, but experts note little victories are equally important. Praising the pet when he or she does something right, even if it is a small thing, will keep the motivation going.
Finish positively. End all training sessions with something the dog knows so that the session will end on a high note.
Dog Training Dallas Cost
Dog training is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your dog, as training helps to keep your dog's mind healthy, encourages them to stay active, and improves their obedience. All of these things help to increase your dog's happiness and overall health, and a dog with good manners can accompany you on more adventures, something that strengthens your bond with your dog.
There are plenty of different methods you can use to train your dog, but you may be wondering about the cost of dog training in Dallas. Our article tells you more about choosing a suitable dog trainer and the average cost of Dallas dog training.
How Do I Choose a Good Dog Trainer in Dallas?Choosing a good dog trainer in Dallas can be confusing, as there are many different options available. Below, we give you a quick checklist to help you consider what you find important in a dog trainer.
You can review Dog Academy's guide to the best dog trainers in Dallas for a closer look at your options.
Dog Training Dallas Cost: What to KnowThere are a few different factors that can go into the cost of dog training in Dallas. To start, in-person versus online training courses are priced fairly differently, with in-person training courses typically costing more. If your dog has serious behavioral issues that need the help of a professional, you may also pay extra in these situations.
Puppy classes and basic obedience classes tend to be the most affordable types of dog training, and board and train programs in Dallas are generally the most expensive because you are paying for your dog to be cared for and receive training.
On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $150 for an online course that guides you to training your dog at home, while you may pay between $50 and $200 per lesson for in-person training and upwards of $1,000 for board and train programs in Dallas.
Can I Train My Own Dog in Dallas?It is totally possible to train your own dog in Dallas, and some individuals may actually prefer training their own dog.
When you train at home, you can work on your own schedule, routinely train your dog throughout the day, and save money. You also won't need to constantly take your dog to a facility to train them, though you can train your dog in busy places like parks to work on their focus skills.
If you choose to train your own dog in Dallas, make sure that you utilize online resources, training courses, and positive reinforcement methods to keep training an enjoyable and rewarding experience for you and your dog.
What Equipment Do I Need to Train My Dog?Training your dog at home is fairly straightforward, though you will need to commit to consistent training sessions and lots of patience.
The best thing to train your dog with is high-value treats – your dog will be extra tempted to listen to you and complete their training sessions if they know they are getting a very desirable piece of food as a reward. Make sure the treat is healthy and will not make them sick.
Additionally, you can invest in a clicker for clicker training, or you may want to purchase a harness if you plan on harness training your dog. We recommend staying away from items like e-collars and shock collars, as these can injure and traumatize your dog, resulting in poor behavior and an aversion to training.
Keeping Your Dog Mentally ActiveDog training is one of the best things you can do for your dog, as training sessions keep your dog's mind active in addition to helping them stay fit and develop good manners.
If you are worried about the cost of dog training in Dallas, keep in mind that there are plenty of different options that can fit your budget. You can also train your dog at home using resources online and budget-friendly training tools to start teaching your dog new and useful tricks.
Ellen McDaniel WeisslerFalling Down On The Training
Having now lived with us for slightly over a year, Saki decided about two months ago that it was time she took our training in hand. To that end, she insisted that I arrange for the family to take obedience classes at a canine school in Garrett County.
We have been to three or four sessions now, and while Saki is not entirely satisfied with our progress, we feel hopeful that we are making strides.
Consistency is the most important factor when training a family to interact with a dog and her environs.
It is important, therefore, that our walks in the neighborhood no longer be pleasant strolls, but learning opportunities.
Gone are the no-stress daily rambles we used to enjoy — me reading a book, she sniffing and investigating and relieving herself from an apparently bottomless tank.
Now we march rigidly about the neighborhood while she schools me in such commands as "heel," "stay," "no," "leave it" and "break."
If I fail to consistently exercise these rituals, she reinforces the lesson by running to the end of her leash and rolling in something putrid.
When we are at the actual training school sessions, my husband, sons and I docilely obey the instructor and Saki in their attempts to condition us in proper dog handling.
We hold the leash just so, in the left hand, pacing stoically back and forth in the training room while she patiently demonstrates to us the correct performance of "heel" (even when there are other dogs present) and "leave it" (when loose kibble is left tantalizingly in her path.)
She is perfection. We are bumbling idiots.
In the neighborhood we REALLY fall down on the job.
It is difficult to stick unremittingly to the program when she tests our dedication by tearing after squirrels, stopping to chew sticks and ignoring us entirely in favor of repeated forays into the brush after a promising scent.
Clearly she is doing this to prove the extent to which we have absorbed our training. We are just as clearly being found wanting.
The working dogs at the training school are astonishing.
They have obviously been drilling their owners for years, and have honed their humans' skills to a fine edge.
With us, Saki clearly has her work cut out for her.
There is no doubt that the four of us have much to learn, though we try not to be an embarrassment to our dog.
She parades along, head erect, ears alert for commands, to which she instantly responds.
We trip over the leash, spilling dog treats from our pockets, saying "stay" when we mean "come" and "break" when we mean "sit."
We forget to reward her for good behavior, and then absentmindedly toss her a treat when she disobeys a command.
Saki and the human trainer exchange withering glances. These humans are manifestly hopeless.
At the end of all of this, dog and human are ideally supposed to function seamlessly as a team.
Don't hold your breath.
I can barely make myself use the phrases we are consistently supposed to use, which just confuses her.
Sometimes when we walk I don't even remember to bring the reward treats along. It's not that I don't want success, it's that I unreasonably want her to enjoy just being a dog and doing doggy things — but then to consistently come to heel when she is called.
That's not going to happen at the fumbling rate we're going.
Saki may simply have to acknowledge that her humans are unteachable in this area.
I think we raised her hopes by so quickly responding to her training on when to pet her (24/7), how much food to put in her bowl (more than we think we should, always) and how often to walk her (every time we turn around.)
But when it comes to the traditional, necessary training which the school is trying to provide, we are an absolute failure. I frequently hear Saki sigh, and see her shake her head, but I think she is becoming resigned to this state of affairs.
After all, we may not be the brightest family in the world — but we're all hers!
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