How to train my dog: The 4 most important rules to remember

Dog training is not only a process that will bring you close to him, spending quality time. It is a deeper need that your four-legged friend has to develop his skills. And of course it's a matter of safety and proper living inside the house and out for a walk.

In general, the dog is an animal that learns easily, but you should pay attention to some very basic things. If you are wondering how to train your dog, then there are some mistakes that you should definitely avoid and some rules that will untie your hands and help you spectacularly.

Read on for everything you need to be aware of.

Positive (rather than negative) reward

The point is to reward your dog when he does something right, not punish him when he does something wrong. Because in the second case you will simply gradually acquire a dog that is afraid of you and is stressed.

Remember that the goal is an obedient but confident dog!

So when he does something right, you reward him with praise, petting and most of all a tasty treat. It is good, however, from a point on not to give him a treat every time he does the right thing, because there is a risk that he will only carry out the command if there is a snack in his visual (and olfactory) field. Petting and praise are equally powerful rewards.

System and patience

Dog training takes a lot of patience and good timing. You will need to say "Sit" and "Come" many times until your dog finally does what you say. The important thing is initially not to give up.

The second most important thing is to give the reward immediately. Dog training is based on the following simple: The dog associates an action (e.g. coming to you on the "Come" command) with a positive stimulus (e.g. the treat), so it understands that what it is doing is the right one.

However, the positive stimulus should be given immediately after the correct action and this sequence should be done several times, in order to have an effect.

Environment

In the early stages of training, it's best to do it in a distraction-free environment. Indoors and without other people is a good starting point for learning a new command.

Gradually, you can encourage the dog to obey the command and in more complex environments. First at home with other people, then out for a walk but without dogs around him and finally at the walk and the park when there are other dogs and people around him.

Body posture

To effectively train your dog, it is necessary to show him that you are the superior member of the pack. Therefore, in training you should stand tall and your voice should be firm and confident.

Treats should be in the special treat bag hidden in the back. This way, you will avoid the phenomenon of the dog doing something just because he is waiting for the treat (and he will know this immediately if he sees your hands in your pockets or in fists).

Find at Petastero all the dog training accessories that will help you train your faithful friend in a fun and effective way!