Dogs are renowned as “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are loyal, obedient, and always happy to see their human companions. Training your dog at home is a great way to ensure that they know their basic commands and will be well-behaved when you take them out in public. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of how to train a dog at home, as well as some common commands that dogs should know. We will also provide tips on how to make training your dog easier and more fun for both of you.
Teach Your Dog When and How to Sit
One of the most important things that your dog should know is how to sit. Dogs who are able to sit when told are less likely to misbehave in public, because they can learn that if their owner tells them to sit, then there must be a good reason for it.
This will prevent your dog from darting out into the street, sniffing every bush he comes across or jumping all over people while you try and walk them down the sidewalk.
Sit is fairly easy to train at home with positive reinforcement; simply tell your dog “sit” using a firm voice, give him or her a treat when they or obey and repeat until they have mastered the command!
If you want to go beyond training basic obedience commands in your own home, you can enrol in a dog training class. These classes are often offered at local pet stores or by nearby dog training organizations. Dog training classes are an excellent way to learn how to train your field commands like “heel” and “stay”.
Give Your Dog a Name
You should also be sure that your dog knows his or her name. If you have taught them the command for sitting, they will recognize their name as well; however, it is still important for them to know what their name is.
A good rule of thumb is to use your dog’s name every time you play with him or her, take them outside to go potty, eat dinner (if they’re allowed on the kitchen counter), etc.
Picking up their leash and telling them to “come” when you’re ready to go for a walk will also be much easier if they know that hearing their name means that you are about to have some fun together!
Commands that Your Dog Must Know
Some common commands that dogs should know include:
- Sit: The most important command for you and your dog to know. If your dog can sit, then they are less likely to dart out into a street or jump all over random strangers when you take them out on the town!
- Stay: Another critical field command which can help keep both of you safe from harm. Teach this command at home before taking it with you on the road.
- Heel: The last thing that you want is for your dog to get in front of your legs when he or she sees another person or dog while walking down the sidewalk! Heeling requires some coordination between the two of you, but once mastered, will be easy for him or her.
- Crate Training: This doesn’t have to be taught at home – you can always teach this command once you’ve brought your dog to his or her new home. However, teaching them that their crate is a safe and secure place for them to rest will make the transition easier on both of you!
- Come: If your dog knows “come”, then they are less likely to run away from you or dart into the street when someone else walks by!
- Fetch: Fetch is a great way for you and your dog to bond while out on walks, at public parks, etc. It also teaches them that good things happen when they bring the ball back to their owner.
- Down: Down can be used to keep your dog from jumping on people when you’re out and about, as well as to avoid them getting into scraps with other dogs.
- Rollover: Rolling over can be fun for both of you, but it’s also a good way to get your dog used to the idea that they need to demonstrate some trust by allowing you into their space.
These basic obedience commands are easy for your dog to learn at home with positive reinforcement. After all, dogs want nothing more than the approval of their owners! If you can reward them with praise or by giving them a treat whenever they perform one of these actions after being told what it is called, then they will begin to associate that action with their name in no time.
Be sure not to break up training into short sessions throughout the day; this will help them learn faster and it will be more fun for you both.
As you can see, training your dog at home is fairly simple if you follow this basic outline:
- Teach your dog their name, as well as common commands like sit, stay, come, heel, down, and rollover. You should also teach anything that may come in handy in public (sit means don’t jump on people).
- Practice these commands with short sessions throughout the day- 2 to 5 minutes per session is ideal. Your dog will learn much faster if they are rewarded after each session!
- If possible, enrol in a local dog training class or meet up with other dog owners who are looking for similar nearby. Training classes are always a fun way to learn new things about your best friend!
- When you go out in public, ensure that your dog knows most of its basic commands. Commanding them to sit or stay whenever they begin to misbehave is a great way to prevent bad behavior from escalating quickly.
It is also important for pets with special needs, such as dogs who are deaf, blind, or have other sensory disabilities. Be sure that your pet knows how to perform his or her particular set of skills before sending them off into the world without you.
Of course, it may be more difficult for people who train their dogs at home instead of having an instructor teach them in person, but it should still not take too much extra effort on your part- especially if you invest in a little doggy sign language!
Appreciate Your Dog
Praise your dog as soon as they display the desired behavior. If your pet knows that they will receive affection or food once they do what you want them to, then they will obey every command with enthusiasm! Most dogs love learning and trying out new things, and training is no different.
Training a Dog Without Equipment
It is possible to train a dog at home without any equipment- all you need is some yummy treats and loads of patience.
However, many people choose to buy collars and leashes that match their outfits; this does not mean that they are neglecting their fur baby’s training, it just means that they want to go for walks together looking stylish!
Training should always be fun for both of you, so feel free to make it interesting- even if that means dressing them up in a bandana before they get their daily dose of exercise.
- Give your dog his or her own space where they can do whatever they want without fear of getting into trouble. This is the most effective method to keep your pet calm at home!
- Ensure that everyone in the family is aware of the rules and follows them consistently. If everyone shows affection for their dog anytime he or she misbehaves, then it will be much more difficult for him or her to learn what truly warrants praise. Affection should be given only after good behavior!
Many people have found success with positive reinforcement, which simply means rewarding behaviors that meet your expectations and ignoring behaviors that do not. Dogs who are given a treat every time they sit down will quickly learn to sit whenever their owner says “sit,” because it is in their best interest to do so!
Training Musn’t Be So Hard
Proper training does not have to be difficult or boring- dogs enjoy learning new things just as much as we do! Once you have taught them a few basic commands and decide exactly what behavior is either desired or unacceptable in your home, they will be well on their way to becoming a lovable member of the family.
This can be done through positive reinforcement or simply by keeping them from doing anything that results in punishment from someone in the house. With party tricks like playing dead and walking on two feet, it’s not difficult to have a very happy pet at home!
Final Thoughts
Training a dog at home can be just as successful as enrolling in a class or meeting up with friends who are training their pups, too. No matter what you choose to do, make sure that your furry friend has learned how to behave correctly before letting them outside alone! When they know all of the rules and get lots of love when they follow them- there is no reason for bad behavior.
Every family should have a few basic commands down pat before heading out into public areas- especially if you’re attempting to train dogs at home!
Building confidence slowly will lead to success in training your pet, because it is okay if things seem difficult at first. If you provide affection only after good behavior and give them the space that they need, then your dog will be well on its way to proper obedience!
After all, it is not just about teaching your dog new tricks, but also about establishing a way to communicate with him or her. Remember that dogs will always want attention and praise- so be sure to provide plenty of both!
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q. Is it ever too late to begin dog training?
Ans: Absolutely not! Dogs make great companions at any age, but they are even more adorable when they know how to obey commands. You should always do your best to teach them what you expect of them; simple training techniques like the ones mentioned above can be very helpful for even the most stubborn pooches.
Q. How much time does it take to teach a dog?
Ans: Every dog is different, but teaching them a few basic commands should not take more than a few weeks! They will pick up on that sort of thing much faster than you think. Just make sure to provide plenty of treats and praise when they learn something new or even if they simply do what you have asked of them!
Q. How often should I train my dog?
Ans: This really depends upon your schedule and the needs of your pet. Many people choose to train their dogs at home daily for a specific period of time so that they begin understanding the rules very quickly. However, others may decide to just work with their pets once per week- either way can be effective as long as both you and your pooch are having fun together!
Q. Is it beneficial to pay for dog training?
Ans: Yes and no. If you have a very busy schedule, it probably would be helpful to pay for professional dog training- especially if your dog is misbehaving! However, there are a lot of dog trainers out there that do not know how to effectively train dogs at home or through positive reinforcement, so choose wisely for your dog training officials.