Dog Trainer Highlights Important Training Session Many Pet Parents Neglect
Training your pooch takes a lot of patience, time, and treats, but it's always worth it in the long run. Ellie is a Dog Behavior Specialist who shares lots of great information about force and fear-free training techniques on TikTok, and shared a video in mid-July that made me do a double take.
The actual video is only 9 seconds long and shows a dog resting on the floor; it almost looks like they're asleep. Its owner is next to it, and after a second or two, she hands him a treat. What is going on that the pup deserved a treat? They were actually in the middle of a training session in calmness!
If you just watch Ellie's video, you'll have no idea what is going on...all of the information is in the caption. She says it's important to teach your dog not only how to lay down, but how to "relax, settle down, and switch off" just like us humans try to do when we can. She suggests having a mat or blanket for them to lie on and then to reward them for their calm behavior. When you reward, you do so quietly and calmly anytime they lay their head down or relax their posture. This is the kind of training we can all enjoy doing with our dogs!
Related: Dog Trainer Lists the Biggest Mistake People Make When Training Pups
Training and Communication Tips for Pet Owners
While I'm not as patient (or consistent!) as I should be when it comes to training my dog, I still find dog training videos fascinating. I think it's amazing what dogs can learn with proper guidance. Since I started writing at Pet Helpful, I've learned a lot about training and how it can turn an unruly dog or any puppy into a dog that listens and does what it's told the first time around.
How much time should you spend each day training your pooch? The answer may surprise you and it's probably less time than you think. You can train between 20 and 30 minutes a day, but not all at once. Break it into a couple of different sessions. Be sure to have treats available or use your dogs' kibble during mealtime instead of treats. This video explains the first thing you should teach a puppy, and a few other helpful commands that all dogs should know.
Dogs use their bodies to communicate with us, but do you pay attention to what your dog is trying to convey to you when your dog paws at you? What about when they stare at you - it could mean several things!
One thing I learned about training is that you go through lots of treats! If you are training with treats, you can make your own dog treats and save a ton of money. Just another tip to help with training.
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