This is such a great article from dog trainer Dee Ganley. You can download it here: http://deesdogs.com/documents/whendoistarttraining.pdf
There are many more other helpful articles on training and behaviour on Dee's website, as well as her training manuals to buy:
http://deesdogs.com
There are many more other helpful articles on training and behaviour on Dee's website, as well as her training manuals to buy:
http://deesdogs.com
When Do I Start Training??
- Part I
Timing
The most important time in your dog's life is right now! His behavior is constantly
changing. A dog that is well-behaved today will not necessarily remain that way forever.
New problems can develop, existing problems can get worse. Dogs are social animals,
but they are animals, and without proper training they will behave like animals. They can
soil your house, destroy your belongings, bark excessively, dig, fight other dogs and even
bite you. Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal canine activities that occur at
the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong thing. For example, he will eliminate
on the carpet instead of outside; he will bark all night long instead of just when a stranger
is prowling around outside; or he will chew furniture instead of his own toys.
Why Obedience Training?
The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is learning to teach the dog to
redirect his normal behaviors to outlets that are acceptable in the domestic setting.
One of the best things you can do for your dog and yourself is to obedience train him.
Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for
solving most of them. Training opens up a line of communication between you and your
dog. Effective communication is necessary for instruction. You can teach him anything
from 'stay' (don't bolt out the door) to 'sit' (don't jump up on the visitors) to 'off' or "leave
it" (don't chew the furniture). Training is also an easy way to establish the social
hierarchy.
When your dog responds to a simple request of 'come here, sit,' he is showing
compliance and respect for you. It is NOT necessary to establish yourself as top dog or
leader of the pack by using extreme measures such as the so-called alpha roll-over. You
CAN teach your dog his subordinate role by teaching him to show submission to you in a
paw raise (shake hands), roll over or hand lick (give a kiss). Most dogs love performing
these tricks (obedience commands) for you which also pleasantly acknowledge that you
are in charge.
Training should be fun and rewarding for you and your dog. It can enrich your
relationship and make living together more enjoyable. A well-trained dog is more
confident and can more safely be allowed a greater amount of freedom than an untrained
animal. Some people debate whether or not it is possible to train puppies. Others ask
whether it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. The answer to both questions is an
unequivocal YES. Whatever the age of your dog, the right time to begin training is right
now! Enroll in a local dog training class to learn the basics. Then most teaching and
training can and should be done in your home.
How To Begin
It is best to begin teaching in an area that is familiar to your dog and with as few
distractions as possible. When you feel both you and your dog are skilled at several
commands, then take these commands to different areas. Introducing distractions may
seem like starting all over again, but it's worth the effort. In reality, who cares if your dog
will sit stay when no one is around? What you need is a dog who will sit-stay when
company is at the door. Who cares if your dog heels beautifully in your own back yard?
But you need to start there if you eventually want a dog who will heel beautifully when
walking down Main Street. If you want your dog to be obedient in your car, guess where
you have to practice? If you suddenly want your dog to down-stay while you are trying to
move over 3 lanes to make an exit, you had better find time to practice those commands
in the car long before you need them. Don't drive and practice at the same time. Practice
while the car is parked or while someone else is driving.
When Do I Start Training?? - Part II
Training sessions
Keep the training sessions short and sweet. It is dull and boring to schedule tedious and
lengthy training sessions. Instead, integrate training into your daily routine. Make training
interesting and meaningful to your dog. If Rover insists on following you from room to
room while you are getting ready for the day, then insist he have something to do too.
"Roll over" for your wake-up greeting. "Heel" from the bedroom to the bathroom.
"Down-stay" while you're brushing your teeth. "Heel" from the bathroom to the kitchen.
"Sit-stay" while grinding the coffee beans. "Go find the ball" while you get dressed. Now
"go get the leash" so you can go for a walk. "Sit" when the door is opened, "sit" again
when the door is closed. And so on. Be sure that training infiltrates your dog's favorite
activities such as eating his dinner, playing ball, being petted . His favorite activities
should become training, so that training becomes his favorite activity.
Rewards
The single most important aspect of training is rewarding your dog for good
behavior. Using food, praise, petting and play will help him learn faster. The more times
the dog is rewarded, the quicker he will learn. Therefore, it's essential that you set up
situations repeatedly in order for him to get plenty of practice at doing the right thing. It's
equally important that you always praise your dog for good behavior instead of taking it
for granted. It's easy to forget to praise good behavior because it goes unnoticed. But the
very nature of misbehavior gets our attention. We don't notice when our dog is lying
quietly, but excessive barking gets our attention. How many of us take notice and praise
our dogs when they chew their own toys? But we all go berserk when we notice our
favorite pair of shoes chewed up! Praise and reward are the most important part of
maintaining good behavior and preventing problems from arising.
Reprimands
Some dogs feel they are constantly bombarded with "NO, No Bad Dog", "Stop that,
get off, shame on you!" They tend to get used to it so the reprimands become
meaningless and are ignored. If most of our interaction with the dog is praise for good
behavior, then reprimands will take on much more meaning. Whenever you find the need
to reprimand your dog, immediately show him what you want him to do, then reward him
for getting it right.
If you catch him chewing the furniture, you're too late in your correction. Watch
your dog when he is looking at something that is inappropriate and say "Uh, Uh." (You
must give him the information as he is thinking of it, not after he has done it.) Then
immediately direct him to his own toys, enthusiastically entice him to chew on them and
praise him for doing so. If done correctly, your voice alone is sufficient to stop the wrong
behavior. Don't continue to nag him. Put him in his crate or make him lie down for 5
minutes if you have spoken to him twice. Never hit, kick, slap or spank your dog. This
type of inappropriate punishment always creates more problems and usually makes
existing problems worse. Not only will you have a barking, chewing dog, but one that is
leery, hand-shy, fearful or aggressive. Proper training is hard work and lots of practice.
But your reward is having a happy, well behaved dog who is a pleasure to be around.
Copyright Ganley/Lyon 2000