5 Qualities All Great Dog Trainers Have

By Craig McPherson

There are a number of different training methods available.

None of these methods are perfect and none are guaranteed to work on your dog.

Each dog is different and the interaction with the owner is unique. Some methods may work better than others for you and your dog.

Progressing ahead in the training will depend on your personality and your dog's temperament to how quickly you succeed (dogs are good at telling whether you are hesitant or unhappy with a particular training technique).

People frequently disagree over which methods are "good" when it comes to training. This kind of argument is pointless, as the effectiveness of each training method is subjective. Find a method that works for you and don't worry about criticisms. On the other hand, suggestions to help overcome specific training problems may be what you need and you shouldn't reject it.

Good results in obedience training require large doses of consistency, good timing, control, patience and methods.

Patience:

Losing your temper is counterproductive. Get the whole family to agree on the commands, but have only one-person train the dog to minimise confusion. Once the dog has basic training then allow others to train the dog. If the dog has to learn something new then the original handler needs to train the dog the new skills.

Attention

An important aspect of obedience training is getting your dog's attention. Your dog will not perform as readily if it isn't paying attention to you.

There are a number of things you can do to get its attention, and you should be sure to praise it for paying attention.

Control

I believe that control is how the handlers can use the lead work in association with the commands.

If the handler displays a happy attitude and gives plenty of rewards when the dog performs well, this will make training easy and control will follow. At the same time the handler needs to be confident in what he / she is doing. If the handler does not know, how will the dog learn!

Reward

Rewards must be given in association with a correct movement. A dog must not be given a reward of food or praise for a "sit" unless that sit is better than the last sit or equal to. Reward can be "verbal", "praise" or a "pat" as well.

Repetition

Repetition is an important part of how the dog learns. The dog must first be shown how to perform the command.

Take the "sit" command for example.

The handler places the dog into the sit position. As the dog sits the command is given followed by praise. The dog is then helped for a few more times until it sits on its own. The handler will only need to help if the dog makes a mistake. The mistakes must not go un- corrected by the handler. Once the dog has perfected the sit then the speed can be increased by only giving praise the faster the dog sits.

Food may be given as a reward in the beginning then brought back occasionally to encourage a faster sit. Food as a reward on occasions will also deter boredom in the dog, which is a major problem from too much repetition work. Short working periods of repetition work is needed at an early age, introducing "play time" induced by the "Free" command will help to deter boredom also.

This training module is just one of many at http://Here-Is-Your.Info/Dog-Training/ If dog training and obedience is needed for your dog or puppy, this resource will kick start your training.