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Dog Training 101 - A Comprehensive Guide for Every Dog Owner

Dog Training 101 - A Comprehensive Guide for Every Dog Owner

Training is what builds communication between you and your furry friend. The dog will know how to behave around family members, strangers, wildlife, and other pets. You are also able to instruct the dog on what to do and what not to do. This gives you control over the dog when in places like parks, flights, camping trips, and hiking.

For instance, the dog will be self-controlled and won't bark destructively when in dog parks or pull on a leash to explore the trails when hiking. That is the cool companionship that every dog owner desires. But since dogs don't have speech, it takes skill to train them to behave the way we want - and that's what we'll talk about in this guide.

We will walk you through the best training methods, give you a step-by-step guide to basic obedience training, and show you how to overcome the common training challenges.

A Comprehensive Dog Training Guide for Every Dog Owner

Dogs descended from wolves, and their instincts are not tailored to living in a home environment. Although they are affectionate and man's best friend, they don't know how to behave around humans. So, we end up considering the normal dog behavior as bad.

For example, it is normal for most dogs to dig holes and chew on objects due to their hunting instincts. But nobody wants a dog that chews furniture, paws on couches, or digs holes in the backyard. According to the Frontiers in Veterinary Science, around 72 to 85 percent of dogs have at least one undesirable behavior.

The result? These dogs are euthanized depending on how "bad" we consider these undesirable behaviors to be. In the US alone, over 1.2 million dogs are killed each year, costing taxpayers over $2 billion. But all that is preventable with proper training. Something to note, though, is that all dogs are not the same.

The training varies depending on the dog's behavior and physical characteristics. For instance, the training tools you need to leash-train a Husky bred for sledding are different from those you need to train a Miniature Poodle. So, let's first see how you can understand your dog's behavior and physical traits so you can choose the best training method. 

Understanding Dog Behavior Before Training

One of the mistakes most dog trainers make is to focus only on the dog listening and obeying your commands without considering its needs. Dogs have feelings and emotions like humans.

They can be sad, happy, like, dislike, trust, grieve and love.

However, since they don't have speech and facial expressions like humans, it becomes hard for dog owners to know what their dogs are going through. For example, it's difficult to train the dog to stop destructive barking if you don't understand the reason behind the behavior.

That's why you need to start with dog psychology. You first need to understand what normal behavior is for your four-legged friend and know his natural body language. From there, you can tell the meaning of each behavior and know what the dog feels about a certain stimulus or situation.

This makes it easier to communicate during training. For example, if you're using an E-collar, you'll be able to gauge how the dog responds to each stimulation level and know the best level for correction without overstimulation. This will prevent you from frightening and stressing the dog in the process of training.

The behavior varies depending on the breed, age, environment, and past life. For instance, dogs adopted from reputable breeders behave differently from those from animal shelters - the ones that have suffered past trauma. Here are some of the dog behavior problems you need to understand before you start the training.

Separation Anxiety

Dogs are loving and affectionate and want to spend all the time with their owners. Separation anxiety is the stress and upsetness the dog gets when the owner leaves it alone. Common signs of separation anxiety are drooling, house soiling, excessive barking, and destructive behaviors like chewing furniture.  

According to the National Institutes of Health Record, around 20 percent of dogs suffer from separation anxiety. That means you could be trying to train your dog against these undesirable behaviors, yet your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.

One way you can tell whether it's separation anxiety is if these behaviors happen around 30 minutes after leaving the dog alone. The dog might also become restless and anxious when it sees you preparing to leave. If that is the case, here is the solution.

  • Avoid direct eye contact with the dog to minimize engagement
  • Before leaving the house, avoid being physically close to the dog
  • Look out through the window, and then sit down. Repeat thi several times.
  • Move out and shut the door behind you for around 30 seconds. Increase the duration over time.

Hyperactivity

Some dogs suffer from hyperkinesis, a similar condition to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in some young children. The dog never wants to relax and settle down. Instead, it engages in annoying behaviors like jumping on people and bouncing off walls.

Hyperactive dogs don't even get used to everyday smells, sounds, and sights. It's common for these dogs to get aroused by routine things like children running down the stairs or the blender running. According to the American Kennel Club, around 12 to 15 percent of dogs suffer from hyperactivity, while 20 percent of dogs have inattention.

Some of the dog breeds prone to this problem include Jack Russel Terriers, Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Cairn Terriers, and Border Collies. It's difficult to train such dogs because they won't pay attention to whatever you're teaching.

The solution is to first engage the dog in rigorous exercises before the training. Most dogs are hyperactive because they have lots of pent-up energy. The exercise wears them out and gives them both physical and mental stimulation.

Barking

Barking is another behavioral problem you first need to understand before trying to suppress it. Dogs bark for a reason. It's the canine's way of communication. For example, the dog might be barking due to separation anxiety, a developing hearing problem, frustration, or the sight of a threat.

If you understand the reason behind destructive barking, you can resolve the root cause instead of correcting the barking behavior. Otherwise, you'll be forcefully trying to prevent your furry friend from communicating the underlying issue.

Key Dog Training Methods

When trying to modify the dog's behavior, you have the option of encouraging the dog to continue doing what is right, discouraging the dog from doing what's wrong, or using both. This gives us three main training methods: positive reinforcement training, balanced training, and traditional training. Here is an in-depth look at each of these training methods.

Positive Reinforcement Training

Dogs repeat things that seem rewarding. Positive reinforcement training involves giving the dog rewards to encourage good behavior. Since most dogs have strong appetites, the rewards are usually treats and verbal praises.

For example, if you are training the Sit command, you first lure it to sit using physical gestures. Remember, the dog doesn't know the command yet. So, don't say anything. Hold the treat and slowly move it behind the dog's head. Usually, the dog will sit trying to view it.

Once the dog's rear is on the ground, give the treat. Repeat the process consistently and then begin adding the Sit command. Over time, the dog will sit to get the reward immediately you say Sit, even without physical gestures.

Clicker Training

Timing is everything when using positive reinforcement training. If you don't immediately give rewards after it does the good behavior, it won't associate the reward with the right behavior. For instance, if you delay giving treats for several seconds after the dog sits, and then it stands, it'll think the reward is for standing.

This creates confusion. Remember, most dog treats are pea-sized, and you'll usually have them in the treat pouch on the side of your hip. So, there is a high chance you'll delay fetching treats. That's where clickers come in. They are a part of positive reinforcement training.

Clickers are simply mechanical handheld tools that click when activated. The aim is for the dog to associate the clicking sound with a reward. So, it anticipates the reward whenever it hears the clicking sound. This offers the following two advantages.

  • Marking: You'll be able to mark the exact moment the dog does the good behavior. That means even if you delay to fetch the treats, the dog already knows there are rewards coming because of what it has just done.
  • Anticipation: According to Psychology Today, anticipation is more pleasurable than the actual event. It's about simulating the future scenario, making the brain release dopamine chemicals for happiness. So, by using clickers, you seemingly increase the value of the treats, making the dog have a higher desire to please.

Traditional Training

Traditional training discourages bad behavior by making the dog uncomfortable. When the dog does what is right, nothing happens. When it does wrong, it receives punishment.  There is no consideration for the dog's emotional well-being.

Usually, this method uses tools like prong collars, citronella spray collars, choke collars, and shock collars. We don't recommend this method due to its inhumane nature. Even dog behavioral organizations like the Association of Dog Trainers, AVSAB, and the CCPDT don't advocate it either.

Punishments can cause stress and frustration. Consistent punishments will also make your furry friend lose trust. Instead of traditional aversive training, use the following alternative.

Balanced

As the name suggests, balanced training combines the aspects of positive reinforcement and traditional training. So, you're rewarding the dog for all behaviors. When it does what's right, it receives verbal praise and food rewards. When it does wrong, it receives corrections. 

The biggest advantage of this method is that it covers the weaknesses of positive reinforcement. For instance, if you're leash training, and the dog sees a piece of pizza on the roadside, it might be more interested in the pizza than the treats.

So, the incentives won't work, and it'll pull. If you're using a standard harness or collar, the dog can easily break the leash, or the leash slips out of hand, and your furry friend gets out of control. But with balanced training, you'll be using treats in combination with a no-pull harness.

We recommend the Alpine Dog's No-Pull Harnesses because they have both the front and back clips. When leash-training, you use the front clip. If the dog unexpectedly pulls, the force redirects the dog towards you, discouraging pulling. Once the dog is trained, you attach the leash to the back clip, and the harness becomes a standard harness. 

Another option is to use a martingale collar. These collars tighten to discourage pulling but not so much to choke the dog like choke collars. We recommend martingale collars with neoprene lining because they won't hurt your dog's neck even if he pulls strongly. These tools are just a way to maintain control if the dog goes berserk while using positive reinforcement.    

Step-by-Step Guide to Basic Obedience Training

We suggest you start the basic obedience training right after adopting the dog. Since you'll be dealing with a new dog and you want to bond and build trust, we recommend you base your training on positive reinforcement, with only martingale collars or no-pull harnesses to keep your dog under control. Then, use the following steps to teach your dog basic obedience and manners.

Name Recognition

It is advisable to give your dog a name immediately after adopting it. The name is the primary way of capturing the dog's attention when you want to give commands. So, the first step in dog training is to make it recognize its name. The good thing is that puppies start to recognize their names from the age of 8 to 12 weeks.

Mention the name until the dog looks at you and gains eye contact. Then, give treats. Do this regularly until the dog gives you attention every time you mention the name. Most dogs will start recognizing their names after 1 to 3 days of training. 

Leash Training

It's illegal to walk with your dog off-leash in public places like schools, restaurants, public parks, and sidewalks in most cities in both Canada and the US.

Considering that you'll need to take your dog for regular exercises or accompany you during hikes, jogging, and trips, leash training is the second most important thing. As we mentioned, you will need treats and a no-pull harness or a martingale collar. Then, use the following steps for basic leash training.

  • Walk slowly ahead of the dog
  • Since dogs have a faster pace than humans, they'll eventually get ahead and start pulling. Stand still when it pulls
  • If the dog calms down and becomes relaxed, start walking again.
  • When the dog walks calmly by your side, reward it with treats.
  • Note that you don't need to yank the leash. The martingale collar will tighten and discourage pulling. Yanking can hurt the dog. However, if you're using a no-pull harness, you can put some pressure on the leash.

Potty Training

Potty training is another thing that will save you a lot of trouble. Dog poop and urine carry parasites like whipworms, coccidia, roundworms, and hookworms. The larvae of these parasites can get into the human body through scratches. The dog poop might also have canine viruses like distemper virus and parvovirus, which can spread to other pets.

Other than diseases, the poop can stain your home and cause a horrible odor. Even The National Park Service requires you to bag and remove your dog poop when going for hikes and trips. Here are some potty-training tips that will help you manage your dog's bathroom breaks.

  • Take the dog for bathroom breaks after waking up in the morning, after meal time, and in the middle and end of the play session.
  • Other than that, take your furry friend out for bathroom breaks after every two hours.
  • Designate a spot for the bathroom breaks. Be consistent with this spot.
  • When the dog is relieving, mention a specific phrase or word. You want the dog to associate that command with relieving.
  • Every time the dog relieves at the designated place, and if everything goes well, give rewards.
  • Use a regular feeding schedule so the elimination times can be a little consistent.
  • Take away the water bowl around 2 to 2.5 hours before bedtime. This reduces the likelihood of the dog requiring a bathroom break at night.
  • Apart from the 2-hour intervals, take your dog for bathroom breaks if you see it circling, sniffing around, being restless, squatting, or scratching the door. If your furry friend eliminates after showing these signs, make sure you give rewards and verbal praise. It's a sign that he is not comfortable eliminating anywhere.

Advanced Training Techniques for Experienced Owners

After the dog learns basic good behaviors, it's time to advance the training and teach the dog what specific commands mean. Here are some of the commands you can teach.

  • Sit: Take a treat and move it towards the back of the dog while saying Sit. When the dog sits as it tries to view the treat, activate the clicker and give rewards.
  • Stay: This comes after the dog learns the Sit command. With the dog still sitting, take a step back while saying Stay. If it remains in place, give rewards. Repeat the command while increasing the distance until the dog learns.
  • Come: The command gives you control even in emergency situations, as you can always call your furry friend back to you. Make sure the dog is on a long leash when teaching this command to prevent it from escaping. Call the dog by its name, and then say Come. If it obeys, give rewards.
  • Lie Down: This is another command that comes after the Sit command. Hold the treat and lower it while saying Down. When the dog finally lies down trying to get the treat, activate the clicker and reward it.
  • Heel: This is an advanced command from the basic leash training. Take a treat with your left hand and hold it against your body. Walk forward, forcing the dog to follow you as it tries to get the treat. Stop after a few steps and reward it. You can then start saying Heel every time you start moving forward.
  • Drop it: Give the dog a low-value toy to play with. Then, hold a high-value treat in your hand close to the dog's nose, and say Drop It. Once the dog drops the toy to get the higher-value treat, activate the clicker and give the reward.

Training Challenges and How to Overcome Them

As we mentioned, dogs are different, and the training might not go as smoothly as you expect. Here are some of the common dog training challenges you can face and their solutions.

  • Reinforcing bad behaviors: It's difficult to know what is going through the dog's mind. There's always a possibility of something happening between good behavior and rewards. Then, you end up reinforcing the undesirable behavior that just happened. The solution is to stick to clickers.
  • Distractions: Dogs have short memory spans and can get distracted very easily. The solution is to train your dog in quiet and familiar places, such as your living room.
  • Lack of early socialization: It takes time to bond and build trust with dogs that weren't socialized from an early age. This slows down the training process. The best solution is to stick to positive reinforcement training.
  • Obesity: Most dog treats have high calories and can easily make your furry friend obese. The solution is to check the calorie content of the treats. Don't let calories from treats be more than 10 percent of the dog's recommended daily intake.

Conclusion: Building a Strong Bond Through Training

Training forms the base of a strong bond between you and your furry friend. The rewards you give during training make the dog recognize you as the caregiver. This makes the dog more loyal, affectionate, and willing to please. At the same time, proper training means you'll enjoy the companionship of a well-behaved dog when going on outings, camping, hiking, jogging, and taking flights.