How to train your dog like a pro

Whether you’ve recently brought home a new puppy or if your dog is a bit older, it’s never too late to start training. Dogs benefit massively from being trained; it’s a great way to help prevent them from getting bored or getting themselves hurt and offers much needed consistency and routine in their life. Before teaching your dog anything, you need to make sure you approach the mammoth task with the right mindset. Read on to find out how to train your dog like a pro!

Do your research

Research is crucial when it comes to training your beloved fur babies. You need to make sure you’re approaching each command in the right way and not confusing your pooch. The order in which you teach your dog commands is important too; some commands are more tricky than others so you need to make sure you can run before you can walk! For example, you’d definitely want to teach your dog the basics like ‘sit’ or ‘paw’ before you try something more advanced. Youtube is a fantastic resource when it comes to dog training and you’ll find a wealth of information there relating to what commands you should teach first and exactly how you should go about doing it. There is a range of different training methods available so be sure to find the one that works for you and your pooch! 

Practice patience

If you’ve ever trained a dog before you’ll know that it’s not for the fainthearted. Teaching your dog a range of commands takes time and a whole lot of patience, so try to keep this in mind. Some dogs pick up new tricks easily, while others are a bit slower to learn; what’s important is that you don’t get frustrated with them as every pooch learns at his/her own pace. If your dog is struggling to grasp what you’re teaching them, leave it for the rest of the day and give them lots of affection instead. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Be consistent

Like with most things, consistency is key. Keep training times consistent each day and if you decide on a certain method of training, stick to it. Dogs will struggle to learn if you keep switching things up and they get a lot of comfort out of an established routine. Ultimately, the majority of dogs are eager to please and as long as your approach is something they come to know and expect, they should have no trouble picking up new commands. 

Invest in tools 

Some people prefer to just train their dogs the old fashioned way with hand signals, but many pet owners swear by whistles or clickers. These tools can make positive reinforcement training more efficient when dogs come to associate the sounds of the tools with treats or rewards. However, hand and voice commands are easier in that you have all the tools you need with you at any given time! It’s all down to personal preference. 

Short sessions

When training your pup, always try to keep sessions short. A good goal is to train your dog for 15 minutes each day in short 5 minute sessions, spread throughout the day. Keeping the sessions short will ensure that your dog is focused on the task at hand, as longer sessions will likely result in their interest waning. A distracted dog isn’t going to master a new command so your best bet is to always stick to an allotted time.

Choose your rewards

Many pet parents use treats as rewards when it comes to training, but there are other rewards dogs like too! You can offer them their favourite toy when they do something good or even give them a good belly scratch. Sometimes words of praise are all a dog needs to keep them motivated. Having said that, the majority of dogs prefer edible rewards; the way to their heart is through their stomachs after all!

Enjoy it!

If you aren’t enjoying training your pooch, the chances are that your dog probably isn’t a massive fan either. Don’t put too much pressure on your dog (or yourself) to teach them new commands quickly. All pets and pet parents are unique and that means every training routine should be unique and in keeping with your lifestyle. The most important thing is to have fun with your dog and take breaks whenever things start to get a bit stressful. Enjoy the process of training your dog, it only happens once!

Good training sessions often give your pooch a huge appetite. As an extra reward, shop our Meatiful range and make their tails wag with delight at the sight of one of our flavoursome sausages. Click this way and take your pick from Atlantic Salmon, British Chicken, Farm-Reared Duck and Grain Free Turkey.