February is Dog Training Education Month! Fido is a wonderful companion, but he needs some ‘petucation’ to learn how to be a good boy. Read on as a local Ellicott City, MD veterinarian offers some advice on training your canine pal.
Basics First
The most important commands for you to teach your furry friend are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. These aren’t just about petiquette: you need to be able to call Fido back to you if he slips away, or keep him from approaching dangerous areas. Work on these one at a time. You may find Sit the best to start with, as it’s usually the easiest for pups to learn
Rewards
A gold star on a report card won’t have much meaning for your canine buddy. Offer your pooch more tangible rewards. By that, we mean food. Use small portions, as otherwise you’ll end up overfeeding your four-legged buddy. Of course, food shouldn’t be the only reward. Praise and head pats (or ear scritches) are also important. Fido really does strive to please his masters, so it’s important to reinforce good behavior.
Be Consistent
Consistency is always crucial when it comes to training animals. When showing your canine companion vocal commands, always use the same words or phrases. It’s also a good idea to work with Fido at the same time every day. Last but not least, try to avoid changing training methods. If something isn’t working, or if you’re having difficulty, consult your vet or a professional dog behaviorist.
Time It Right
Don’t try training your pooch when you are in a bad mood. Fido will pick up on your feelings, and may form a bad association with training. That’s the last thing you want!
Don’t Bore Your Pup
Most dogs don’t really have the attention span for long classes. Try to work with your pup every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Even short ten minute sessions will be beneficial!
Continued Education
Fido’s schooling doesn’t have to stop once he has basic doggy etiquette down. Teach your furry pal a few more commands. Drop it and Leave it are useful. You can also show pooch some cute tricks, like Roll Over or Gimme Paw.
Do you have questions or concerns about training your dog? We can help! Contact us, your local Ellicott City, MD veterinary clinic, today!
