The Dog Trainer Wished You Knew These 5 Things

The ordinary dog trainer can assist you and your dog in a variety of ways, from basic obedience to dealing with damage and aggressiveness. But there's a lot you can do on your end to help your dog get the most out of his training sessions.

1. Don't be Afraid to Seek Assistance

It's ok if your dog requires obedience or behavioral training; seek assistance. Because there is so much misinformation out there, it's understandable if you've made some mistakes. Feel no remorse or blame for your actions. Don't let your fear of being judged prevent you from seeking professional help. Getting quality help for you and your dog should be celebrated above all else.

2. Positive Reinforcement Should be Used

If you truly want to see results, ditch the shock collar in favor of consistent commands and positive reinforcement. Training tools and methods that depend on discomfort, pain or fear to change behavior will be, in the longest time, lead to fear and aggression.

Instead, use food and play as rewards to train your dog. Reward-based training can help you modify your dog's behavior while also improving their welfare and well-being.

3. Make Feeding Fun

Time to ditch the dog food bowl and feeding your dog with food puzzle toys or training games instead is an easy way to provide mental stimulation for your dog — it could even decrease some behavior problems. Treat toys and puzzles serve the same purpose as treats: they reward good behavior while also exercising the dog's mind.

4. Note Your Dog’s Body Language

A dog’s body language is extremely subtle, but they almost always tell you something by the way they are moving. The position of their ears and tail and even their bark all have meaning.

Taking the time to learn about dog body language and communication can make a huge difference in your dog’s behavior and welfare, and the relationship you share with them.

While you will not be able of translating your dog’s every word, knowing their own body language will assist you to "listen" to what they are trying to say. It can also help you identify subtle signs that your dog is feeling stressed. Once you can be able to identify these signs, you will learn when you must intervene in specific situations to prevent possible behavioral problems such as biting.

5. Do Your Homework

The dog needs constant support to grasp the compound concepts that has been trying to teach them. Your dog won't learn if they’re only exposed to these types of rules and commands for one or two training sessions a week.

The good trainer can give you with the manageable quantity of homework in between sessions. This is not to remove the fun or make class hard. Doing your homework between sessions can help your dog make progress faster and help you get the most out of the time and money you’ve invested in hiring a trainer.

Have Faith

Certified animal trainers have dealt with naughty dogs and their owners before. It's never too late to ask for help. Providing your puppy with proper obedience training as early as possible can help point them down a path to good behavior for the rest of their lives. If you put in the effort, you'll become an excellent dog handler before you know it.