Secrets to a Well-Behaved Dog Through Basic Obedience Training
Introduction
An obedient, well-trained dog is a joy and a pleasure to have around, and his behavior will never be a reason for worry.
However, an unruly dog that has been given too much attention is a major distraction and can even cause social shame. Unleashed dogs, especially those of the bigger and more robust varieties, pose a real threat.
Despite the fact that the vast majority of dog owners would agree with the foregoing, some still avoid training their dogs due to the misguided belief that doing so is an arduous and time-consuming procedure.
Achieving competition-level accuracy in obedience training for your dog requires a substantial amount of time and dedication on your part.
If, on the other hand, your only aim is to have a well-behaved dog, then you can do this in a short amount of time and with little work.
It would be ideal if you could join one of the local obedience dog training clubs. You’ll get wonderful advice from a knowledgeable trainer, and the chance to socialize your dog with other canines, which is invaluable.
Let’s imagine, though, that there are logistical and other reasons why this can’t happen.
You must first acknowledge that your dog must love you in addition to respecting you if you are to enjoy the benefits of having a well-behaved pet. You may achieve this level of respect by always acting in a manner that is firm, calm, and confident towards your dog.
How Can You Command this Respect?
Generally speaking, you should stick to these guidelines. Make sure your dog understands exactly what you want from him by providing clear commands.
Insist that a command is a command and not a request. When he does what you ask, reward him with praise. When he disobeys your order, penalize him as you see fit.
All obedience dog training begins with this principle: Reward for following instructions, and correction for ignoring them.
The reprimand issue is more complex compared to other training techniques and is also the center of much discussion and disagreement regarding the most effective training methods.
It’s hard to overpraise a dog, and if you do, it won’t hurt them. However, if you scold a young dog too severely for a tiny infraction, it might set back your training by months.
Your Command Must Be Understood
The importance of making sure your dog fully comprehends your commands cannot be overstated. The dog must be granted the advantage of the doubt whenever possible before being disciplined.
Your voice volume should be kept at a reasonable level while yet being forceful and confident while issuing commands. There is none justification for imposing an air of military discipline.
Even if you believe you are being purposely provoked, losing your cool and yelling won’t help the training in the least.
To earn your dog’s respect, he must realize that you are a reliable leader who will direct him but not tolerate disobedience.
You may get this result without feeling helpless. This may be done by giving him a fitting and appropriate punishment for his misbehavior.
Once he realizes your orders are not requests, he will begin to appreciate you. Your dog’s and your connection will thrive or flounder based on your mentality toward him.
Methods of Reprimanding
The subject of how to punish someone for disobeying a direct order is the next one. It’s important to remember that dog personalities are just as diverse as human ones.
There is a wide range of temperaments across dog breeds, and even within a breed there can be variation between various strains. Likewise, reprimanding a dog would elicit quite different responses.
That’s why it’s crucial that you get a good read on how sensitive the dog you’re teaching actually is. A stern “No! You nasty dog!” may be all that’s needed to reprimand a sensitive Border Collie bitch into changing her ways.
In contrast, a rambunctious Great Dane male or Rottweiler may need a more forceful and clear sign of displeasure. However, it is important to keep in mind that stereotyping breeds based on their behaviors is a common mistake.
In no way does the inclusion of the outspoken Great Dane imply that all Great Danes are stubborn or hard to teach. The temperaments of different breeds might differ greatly from one another.
For Shepherds, the same holds true. Sometimes the Shepherds I’ve owned have been very stubborn and headstrong, but other times they’ve been so eager to learn and please that they’ve been a joy to work with. They have needed little no time or energy invested in training.
You should only jerk your dog’s leash particularly hard when you know for sure that he understands your instruction and there is no ambiguity about what you want him to perform.
Make sure his training collar is long enough to have an impact before you jerk him. When dealing with a jerk, you need to say “No!” in a loud, clear voice. Read more in this article: Aggressive Dog Training At Home Made Easy.
Dog Training Has its Limits
It’s worth noting at this juncture that there are practical limits to how far you can take training with some breeds of dog. This may sound like extremely discouraging guidance, but assuming that all animals are capable of the same degree of training is a recipe for disappointment.
Some dog breeds are revered by their fans for their bold personalities and fierce independence.
For instance, even if you’re training a small Schnauzer or Daschund, you probably won’t win any obedience competitions, despite the fact that these dog breeds are quite cute.
This is not to say that you can’t successfully educate your Daschund or Schnauzer to be well-behaved and receptive to your commands.
A dog may be trained to perform what his owner wants only with patience, understanding, and the application of the concept of reward and rebuke. But it takes more time and persistence with certain dogs than others.
Preferred Dog Breed for Obedience Training
If you’re the ambitious and competitive sort that wants to do well in obedience tests, you’ll need to be highly selective not just in terms of the breed you choose, but also the strain within the breed.
There is no denying that certain dogs are more trainable than others, and that doing so will need far less time and energy overall.
Particularly relevant here is the German Shepherd Dog, a breed with whom I have had a close relationship for over fifty years. Anyone who has ever tried their hand at German Shepherd Dog working trials knows how important it is to be picky about the dog you bring into training if you want to do well.
If you look at the pedigrees of the most successful German Shepherd Dogs in working trials in Germany, the United States, and Britain, you’ll see that a select few “working” lineages tend to produce the most champions year after year.
It’s a given that attributes like intelligence and, more importantly, the determination to work hard, are passed down from generation to generation.
However, you almost certainly already own a dog. You care deeply about him and have no plans to let him go just because his family tree doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in his employability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, basic dog obedience training is an important part of raising a dog that is well-behaved with humans. This style of training is useful for laying the groundwork for a positive relationship between dog and owner by teaching the dog companion fundamental manners.
Obedience training should be carried out with consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement. To ensure that their pet dogs flourish in their homes and communities, dog owners should adhere to these guidelines.