Whether your dog is a spunky new puppy or a senior dog is no matter when it comes to training. Every interaction with your canine companion is a learning experience. Remember that your dog doesn’t always understand you and vice versa and that is okay. Also, remember that most behaviours are natural for dogs but they can and should be corrected. These are some basic tips you should always keep in mind when training your dog.

1. Notice

Be aware of your dog’s body language. If they are whining or cannot sit still this is a sign. This probably means they are uncomfortable with the situation. Do not force your dog to socialize if they are not comfortable. Doing so could result in negative behaviour or habits. Dogs also use crying or pacing to let you know they need to go outside. Do not ignore or correct this behaviour.

2. Patience

This is key when you are training. Yelling or angry behaviour is something dogs cannot understand and has no educational value. If you start to become impatient, walk away from the situation. Being impatient with your dog can cause training time to seem unfavourable to him or her.

3. Positive Reinforcement

Remember to praise a dog for their good behaviour not only correct their wrong doings. Praise your four-legged friend for doing what you want them to do. This will bring more of the behaviour you want

4. Redirecting

Instead of just telling your pet no, redirect him to the action or behaviour you want. In the example, if your dog likes to chew on your hands or furniture give him a toy instead of yelling or swatting. This is where positive reinforcement comes in.

5. Leash Training

It is natural for dogs to pull on leashes, but this can easily be corrected. When they start to pull, stop walking. This should be repeated until they understand that they can’t walk if they pull. You walk your dog; your dog does not walk you.

6. No Barking

Barking is an undesirable trait and correcting this will not happen quickly. Make note that dogs hear frequencies that people do not and this can cause the barking. Noting the difference between alerted barking and bad behaviour is key. A dog will not understand why you are yelling when they are barking if they hear a door or passer-by. Using a squirt bottle filled with water, spray them when they bark. Also, use a verbal command such as “quiet” or “no bark” when training.

7. Ignore

Jumping might be a problem in your household and there is a simple trick for this. Ignore. Ignoring your dog when they jump on you or whine at you shows them that they get no reaction. Yelling or pushing them might mean play to them or they use this to get your attention.

8. Consistency

Be sure to consistently use the same verbal or hand commands when training. For instance, starting with the command “shake” and then switching to “paw” can cause confusion. Do not get frustrated with the dog when they do not understand. Dogs can read a human’s body language and know you are angry but do not know why.

9. Realism

As smart as your animal may be, they will not learn new tricks or behaviour instantly or overnight. If you let you animal scratch at the door for years, do not expect them to stop instantaneously. Learned behaviour will take some time to undo but it is possible so be patient.

10. Routine

Once your dog has a new trick learned, incorporate it into your daily routine. This will keep it fresh in your animal’s mind.

11. Health

Your dog’s health is just as important as anything else in their training. If you don’t eat very well, most likely you will feel sluggish. This goes for your dog as well. Check up with your vet to know what a healthy diet for your pet would be. For instance, if you have a very active dog they will need a higher protein diet. If your animal is mostly inside, a high protein diet is not ideal for it will create more energy.

Remembering these tips and tricks will help you and your pooch be successful in your training. The biggest key point to remember is to have patience. Being impatient will cause more negative than positive behaviour. Do not forget to pamper your furry friend and let him know that he is a good dog. This will make behavior corrections more clear in what they’re doing wrong. Training is the best thing you could do for your dog.