Recently, Ann King, a reporter from Colorado, published an article on some timeless training tips. I found them quite wise, so I’ll summarize her tips for you here!
- Be patient – Behavioral changes can take time. Work through them slowly. “Build up” to rewards.
- Be consistent – Once decided on a disciplinary action, such as not allowing your dog in the kitchen while you’re eating dinner, repeat it every night. Consistency helps dogs relax and grasp the idea better.
- Give cues and commands – Get your dog used to commands by naming them when they do them naturally, like saying “sit” when he sits.
- Think of English as foreign – Dogs don’t understand English, therefore, long-winded statements are confusing. Stick to simple one-word commands.
- Ignore bad, reward good – Ignoring bad behaviors, like jumping, will help them go away. Rewarding good behaviors, like sitting quietly, will let dogs know it’s a good thing.
- Know your dog – Cater to their interests! If they’re a social dog, take them to the dog park. If kids make them nervous, try to keep them from them.
These tips are a great base for your training, and are easy to make specific to your situation!
-Jenna Gomes
