Dog Training: The Basics
Dog Training. It can be a daunting task to many pet owners, but providing training and direction for your canine companion is an important part of responsible dog ownership. In this article, my goal is to outline 4 key points of effective training to help you start your journey. The rest of this month we will be focusing on different training methods and tools, weighing the pros and cons of each, and hopefully helping you find the best method for you and your dog.
Keys of Effective Training
1. Pack Mentality
2. Consistency
3. Patience
4. Proper Training Method for YOU & YOUR dog's needs
The first thing to remember about training your dog is that they are, still at heart, a PACK ANIMAL. A pack, no matter the size, consists of one leader and followers. Your job as a trainer and owner is to establish yourself as the leader (also called "the alpha"). The #1 job of an alpha member is to ensure the safety of the pack. Your dog trusts you to protect them. If they feel that you are not up to that task, they may then feel the need to take it upon themselves to protect "the pack", resulting in improper aggression displays such as snapping, baring teeth, biting, hackles raised etc. The #2 job is to establish the parameters and rules by which the pack/your dog is expected to abide by. The end goal of understanding the pack mentality is a stable, functional, and rewarding relationship for you and your dog where each member understands their role in the pack and what is expected of them.
I know what question comes next. How do I establish my role as the leader or alpha member? The quickest way to establish that role is by controlling their basic needs and desires. Be firm, not cruel. Things you can try at home include making them preform a command prior to meal times (sit, stay, etc) and/or sitting prior to going through doors. Once you have established yourself as the alpha you will have to maintain your status which may mean periodic correction to the "pack followers". A true leader does not let misdeeds go uncorrected. Allowing unacceptable behavior to go uncorrected creates confusion in the pack order and gives the indication that either you are not aware of what the rules and expectations are that you set, that the behavior is acceptable, or that you are not confident in your alpha position, which in itself may lead your dog to try to assume that position.
Keys of Effective Training
1. Pack Mentality
2. Consistency
3. Patience
4. Proper Training Method for YOU & YOUR dog's needs
The first thing to remember about training your dog is that they are, still at heart, a PACK ANIMAL. A pack, no matter the size, consists of one leader and followers. Your job as a trainer and owner is to establish yourself as the leader (also called "the alpha"). The #1 job of an alpha member is to ensure the safety of the pack. Your dog trusts you to protect them. If they feel that you are not up to that task, they may then feel the need to take it upon themselves to protect "the pack", resulting in improper aggression displays such as snapping, baring teeth, biting, hackles raised etc. The #2 job is to establish the parameters and rules by which the pack/your dog is expected to abide by. The end goal of understanding the pack mentality is a stable, functional, and rewarding relationship for you and your dog where each member understands their role in the pack and what is expected of them.
I know what question comes next. How do I establish my role as the leader or alpha member? The quickest way to establish that role is by controlling their basic needs and desires. Be firm, not cruel. Things you can try at home include making them preform a command prior to meal times (sit, stay, etc) and/or sitting prior to going through doors. Once you have established yourself as the alpha you will have to maintain your status which may mean periodic correction to the "pack followers". A true leader does not let misdeeds go uncorrected. Allowing unacceptable behavior to go uncorrected creates confusion in the pack order and gives the indication that either you are not aware of what the rules and expectations are that you set, that the behavior is acceptable, or that you are not confident in your alpha position, which in itself may lead your dog to try to assume that position.
**I am NOT telling you not to love on your dog! Shower your fur baby with all the love & attention, just know that there is a time & place for affection just as there is a time & place for discipline.**
In dog training, time commitment and CONSISTENCY are keys to success. This is consistency of training frequency and also consistency in your commands. If you have other family members engaging in the training process, ONE set of command words needs to be developed and agreed on. Its unfair and confusing to your canine to have different people using a variety of terms for the same commands. Another piece to think about: training does not end when you have company over or when you are tired. The same rules and expectations should always apply so your dog knows his/her boundaries. For example, the rule of "don't jump up on strangers, but you can jump up on me" doesn't work. Your dog's mind doesn't not work that way. Commands and the rules of the household must stay consistent 24 hrs a day/ 7 days a week/ 365 days a year.
I have included below the 7 basic commands every canine & their human should strive to learn.
I have included below the 7 basic commands every canine & their human should strive to learn.
1. Sit (Obvious...also usually the 1st command learned)
2. Down (Lay down...also pretty obvious)
3. Off (Also known as NO JUMP, but is also helpful for furniture)
4. Stay (This command can be used while waiting for food, standing, sitting, or laying down)
5. Come (Decide if "come" means coming & sitting at your feet or just coming to you & stay consistent with your expectation)
6. Free (A release word for off leash & can also be used for feeding time. Alternatives: Go Play, Break, Ok!)
7. Stop! (Or your emergency freeze word. This word means your dog MUST stop and wait exactly where they are...helpful for off leash work or walking near busy roads.)
2. Down (Lay down...also pretty obvious)
3. Off (Also known as NO JUMP, but is also helpful for furniture)
4. Stay (This command can be used while waiting for food, standing, sitting, or laying down)
5. Come (Decide if "come" means coming & sitting at your feet or just coming to you & stay consistent with your expectation)
6. Free (A release word for off leash & can also be used for feeding time. Alternatives: Go Play, Break, Ok!)
7. Stop! (Or your emergency freeze word. This word means your dog MUST stop and wait exactly where they are...helpful for off leash work or walking near busy roads.)
The next step is PATIENCE. Training and learning commands takes time. I have 3 things to focus on in this part of training. Relax & take a breath. Training is stressful and frustrating at times, and these emotions can come out through your voice & body language. If you find yourself becoming upset, take a moment...take a few deep calming breaths before continuing with your session. Learn your dog's behavior. Your dog shows stress differently than you and I. Look for yawning, lip licking, vision aversion, or a crouching/cowering position. If you see signs of this, it is time for a break or time to end the session for the day.
Click the picture for a more in depth video on signs of dog stress.
Our final thought for this part of training. Know when it's ok to stop. Everyone has bad days, including your dog. Knowing that it's ok to quit for the day is a important part of creating a rewarding and functional relationship between you and your canine companion.
Last thing about training basics is finding the right TRAINING METHOD for both your style and also what works best with your dog. The next few articles I will be outlining several training methods, their pros and cons and also giving you some links for more in depth information, and also links for various versions for purchase if you are interested. Finding the best training method is a mixture of knowing your end goal for training, knowing your dog and how to best get a response from them, and also knowing your level of comfort with training and the intensity/experience level.
Click the picture for a more in depth video on signs of dog stress.
Our final thought for this part of training. Know when it's ok to stop. Everyone has bad days, including your dog. Knowing that it's ok to quit for the day is a important part of creating a rewarding and functional relationship between you and your canine companion.
Last thing about training basics is finding the right TRAINING METHOD for both your style and also what works best with your dog. The next few articles I will be outlining several training methods, their pros and cons and also giving you some links for more in depth information, and also links for various versions for purchase if you are interested. Finding the best training method is a mixture of knowing your end goal for training, knowing your dog and how to best get a response from them, and also knowing your level of comfort with training and the intensity/experience level.
The main thing I want to stick with you this month is this.....
ANY TRAINING METHOD IS BETTER THAN NO TRAINING!!
ANY TRAINING METHOD IS BETTER THAN NO TRAINING!!
Dog Training Method I: Treat Training
As mentioned in the initial dog training post, I will be covering a number of training methods to hopefully help you find the method best suited for you and your canine companion. This is Method I: Treat Training.
Treat training is considered one of the easiest and more basic form of dog training. The basis for treat training is positive and immediate reward upon successful completion of a task. The end goal of this method is to decrease and in the end, eliminate the need/reliance on treats due to the concept that the more often you reward your dog for good behavior, the more inclined they are to comply with future commands with or without the reward.
Treat training is considered one of the easiest and more basic form of dog training. The basis for treat training is positive and immediate reward upon successful completion of a task. The end goal of this method is to decrease and in the end, eliminate the need/reliance on treats due to the concept that the more often you reward your dog for good behavior, the more inclined they are to comply with future commands with or without the reward.
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I have included a video for step by step instructions if you are interested in this method. Click the photo to be taken to the video.
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As with any training method, there are a few factors to consider.
1. Size of treat
2. Type of treat
3. Risk of Weight Gain
For the size of treat, you will want to keep it small, kibble sized or smaller (think dime size or smaller). This will help prevent your dog from getting full quickly and also keep their weight in check which is a big downside to treat training. Below are some examples of dog training treats.
1. Size of treat
2. Type of treat
3. Risk of Weight Gain
For the size of treat, you will want to keep it small, kibble sized or smaller (think dime size or smaller). This will help prevent your dog from getting full quickly and also keep their weight in check which is a big downside to treat training. Below are some examples of dog training treats.
**Pictures are also links for purchase if desired**
Natural Balance Mini Rewards
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Pro Plan Training Treats
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Pet Botanics Training Reward
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Second thing to consider with treat training is the type of treat. Training treats may not be the best choice for an already overweight dog, or if your dog is a picky eater. Finding a reward that is both motivating, yet not calorie dense is going to be the biggest hurtle you face when selecting your treat. If you want to continue with treat training, but are concerned about weight consider some of the following alternatives:
1. Ice Cubes
2. Raw carrots
3. Green beans
4. Low fat/diet dog food kibble
If your dog tends to be a more picky eater or does not seem as food motivated, consider some of these alternatives OR you may need to pick a different training method that better suits your dog's personality. Keep in mind that these alternatives are much more calorie dense and your dog's weight will need to be carefully monitored as to prevent obesity.
1. Chicken
2. Hot dog
3. Cheese
4. Hamburger
1. Ice Cubes
2. Raw carrots
3. Green beans
4. Low fat/diet dog food kibble
If your dog tends to be a more picky eater or does not seem as food motivated, consider some of these alternatives OR you may need to pick a different training method that better suits your dog's personality. Keep in mind that these alternatives are much more calorie dense and your dog's weight will need to be carefully monitored as to prevent obesity.
1. Chicken
2. Hot dog
3. Cheese
4. Hamburger
The third factor that can be an issue with treat training is weight gain and obesity. Since you are using treats as a reward, you will be feeding your dog more food overall everyday, even though it may not feel like it. Using the charts below, you can keep a close eye on your dog's weight & adjust their food as needed to maintain an ideal body score.
Keep in mind if you do find your dog gaining weight, cutting back the amount of food in the bowl during meal times is the easiest way to start weight loss/weight management. Filler foods (raw carrots & green beans) can be used to increase the amount that your dog is eating without increasing calorie count significantly.
Keep in mind if you do find your dog gaining weight, cutting back the amount of food in the bowl during meal times is the easiest way to start weight loss/weight management. Filler foods (raw carrots & green beans) can be used to increase the amount that your dog is eating without increasing calorie count significantly.
**Feel free to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian with further questions or to have a body condition exam.**
In conclusion, lets go over the pros & cons of this training method:
PROS:
1. Easy to work with (no human training needed)
2. Relatively inexpensive
3. Uses positive re-enforcement
4. Does not require physical force & negative behavior correction
CONS:
1. Dependence on treats for positive behavior
2. May take more time than other methods to master commands
3. Risk of weight gain
PROS:
1. Easy to work with (no human training needed)
2. Relatively inexpensive
3. Uses positive re-enforcement
4. Does not require physical force & negative behavior correction
CONS:
1. Dependence on treats for positive behavior
2. May take more time than other methods to master commands
3. Risk of weight gain
Keep in mind, as with all of these methods, what works for one dog may not work for another dog. You may try one method only to find your dog does not respond well, or it does not work for your training schedule. You may also decide to train basic commands with one method but use a different method for off leash or more advanced training commands (like hunting or agility).
Dog Training Method II: Harness & Gentle Leader
Method II is less of an actual training method as it is a training tool: Harness & Gentle Leader. Both tools help you with leash training, help eliminate pulling, and prevent tracheal damage sometimes seen with choke chains/collar pulling.
First, we will cover dog harnesses. Harnesses can be broken into 2 main groups: front attachment & rear attachment. If you are interested in harnesses, but unsure which one would be best for you and your dog, please keep reading. I have included more details below on both options.
Front attachment harnesses are better suited for leash training of dogs who are strong pullers or bigger breeds since the attachment point is on the chest area of the harness. This allows the owner to lesson the dog's pull and even change the dog's orientation to face them if needed. The big con of front attachment harnesses is that if there is slack in the leash it will often become tangled in the front legs. Harnesses do come in a variety of price points so make sure that you read reviews and find one that fits your budget while also being good quality.
Front attachment harnesses are better suited for leash training of dogs who are strong pullers or bigger breeds since the attachment point is on the chest area of the harness. This allows the owner to lesson the dog's pull and even change the dog's orientation to face them if needed. The big con of front attachment harnesses is that if there is slack in the leash it will often become tangled in the front legs. Harnesses do come in a variety of price points so make sure that you read reviews and find one that fits your budget while also being good quality.
**Front Attachment Harness: Pictures are also links for purchase if desired**
Walk Your Dog With Love Harness
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Pet Easy Harness
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Char's Choice Harness
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Rear attachment harnesses are meant for dogs who are not pullers or have good leash manners. It is also often the preferred harness for smaller dogs. It still protects the neck from injury since all the stress is distributed along the chest, but because of location of attachment, located somewhere between the shoulders to middle of the back, excessive pulling can turn into a sled type action with the owner being pulled behind the dog. Pros of a rear attachment harness is that it won't become tangled in the legs. It is also the more popular harness option so it comes in more styles and colors. Finally, if you are walking multiple dogs, it is much easier to walk with rear attachment harnesses rather than front attachment harnesses to prevent leash entanglement.
**Rear Attachment Harness: Pictures are also links for purchase if desired**
Blueberry Harness
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Ruffwear Harness
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Blueberry Harness
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The other training method/tool being covered today is the gentle leader. These leash/collar combos slip around the dog's nose and behind the head, often being mistaken for muzzles, but they do not hinder the dog's ability to open it's mouth. Gentle leaders are useful for dogs who pull hard on leash and work by allowing the dog's weight to work against their pulling instead of making the owner pull on the leash with their weight. They work great for some dogs, but do take some adjustment for your dog to get used to the feeling of the head gear and for that reason, are a little more training intensive. Below are a few options that I have found at varying price points.
**Pictures are also links for purchase if desired**
Solmore Dog Gentle Leader
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PetSafe Gentle Leader
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Dogs My Love Head Collar
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Because gentle leaders do take more time for your dog to get used to and also for you to use effectively, I have included the Gentle Leader fit and training video. There are of course other brands that make gentle leader head collars so don't forget to shop around & check reviews prior to purchasing, but it's the concept that is most important. If you are considering this training tool, I strongly encourage you to check out the video training guide for further instruction.
I hope you have found Method I & II informative and helpful. Part III & IV will cover Prong Collars & Electronic Collars which need more intensive training and also have higher risk of abuse so stay tuned for those articles!
Dog Training Method III: Prong Collar
For Dog Training Method III, we will be covering the Prong Collar. This is one of the training methods viewed by some as inhumane and it absolutely has the potential to be inhumane, but the goal of this article is to educate you on the proper fit and use/function of the Prong collar. That way, if you are already using this as a training tool, or interesting in trying it, you ensure that you are training in such a way that does not harm your dog and is a viable training method.
As I have been mentioning in previous articles, all training tools and collars do come in a variety of price points. I have included some examples below if you are interested in pursuing this training method. Keep in mind, you need to read reviews prior to purchasing! Not all collars are made equal. Beware of clasps that break or poorly made collars.
**Pictures are also links for purchase if desired**
Herm Sprenger Prong Training Collar
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Pettom Gear Chrome Prong Collar
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Beloved Pet Prong Training Collar
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Since this method of training requires specific fit, I think it will be easier to use videos, instead of pictures and text, to best demonstrate how best to fit your dog with a Prong Collar. Below you will find a video that goes into detailed instruction on how to fit the Prong Collar to your dog and resize it as needed.
Once you have your collar correctly fitted, we need to ensure that the use of the Prong Collar is effective and humane. The biggest difference between Prong Collars and Choke Chains (which we will not be addressing this month) is that Prong Collar creates even pressure around the neck helping to prevent tracheal damage vs a choke chain that can apply pressure directly on the windpipe potentially causing damage.
The use of a Prong collar is to mimic the nips that a mother will use on her pups to indicate a behavior is inappropriate. The corrections from the collar should be short and firm. To help demonstrate this technique, I have included instructional videos below.
Videos (Part I & II) of the beginning basics of using a Prong Collar.
The main concern always with any training method, but especially with more invasive training tools, is that they are used correctly every time and never used inhumanely. To prevent this, we recommend to never train when you are:
1. Angry
2. Upset
3. Tired
4. Frusterated
5. Short on time
6. Distracted/trying to multitask
If any one of the above apply to you prior or during a training session, STOP the training session immediately, WALK AWAY from the situation, and only RESUME training when you are in a better emotional/head space. Ensuring that you are in control and also in the right mind space for training keeps training sessions productive and more importantly safe for you and your canine.
1. Angry
2. Upset
3. Tired
4. Frusterated
5. Short on time
6. Distracted/trying to multitask
If any one of the above apply to you prior or during a training session, STOP the training session immediately, WALK AWAY from the situation, and only RESUME training when you are in a better emotional/head space. Ensuring that you are in control and also in the right mind space for training keeps training sessions productive and more importantly safe for you and your canine.
Dog Training Method IV: Electronic/Shock Collar
Our final training method that we will be covering this month is the Electronic Collar (Shock Collar). Similar to the Prong collar, this training method is sometimes viewed as inhumane and does have the capacity to be so, which is why learning the proper fit and use is so important.
An electronic collar is a versatile tool that can be used in conjunction with a leash/harness, or can be used in off leash. The purpose of using an electronic collar is to reinforce commands that they already know. Having a receiver or controller allows you to reinforce these commands on a leash or from a distance. The amount of distance that the collar can cover is determined by the type of collar you get and varies from several hundred yards to several miles. As with the previous articles, I have included several options of collars.
Especially with electronic collars, I STRONGLY suggest that you do a fair amount of research prior to purchasing a collar. I also would suggest saving and splurging on a respected and maybe more pricey collar. They tend to work better, don't break or wear down, and often the company will assist in any troubleshooting or replacement pieces at little/no cost to you.
An electronic collar is a versatile tool that can be used in conjunction with a leash/harness, or can be used in off leash. The purpose of using an electronic collar is to reinforce commands that they already know. Having a receiver or controller allows you to reinforce these commands on a leash or from a distance. The amount of distance that the collar can cover is determined by the type of collar you get and varies from several hundred yards to several miles. As with the previous articles, I have included several options of collars.
Especially with electronic collars, I STRONGLY suggest that you do a fair amount of research prior to purchasing a collar. I also would suggest saving and splurging on a respected and maybe more pricey collar. They tend to work better, don't break or wear down, and often the company will assist in any troubleshooting or replacement pieces at little/no cost to you.
**For the reason I mentioned in the previous paragraph, you will notice I do not include any collars under $50. From personal experience with friends, clients, and myself, any collar under $50 will not be worth the money for you. Feel free to explore cheaper routes if desired, but below are recommendations at varying price points**
**Pictures are also links for purchase if desired**
PetSpy M686 Dog Training Collar
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Sport Dog Field Trainer 425
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Garmin Sport Pro
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Before we show you a method in which to use the collar, we need to discuss proper fit of the collar. Just as with the Prong Collar, the proper fit is critical to safe, humane, and effective training using this tool/method. To demonstrate this, I have included a video below from Sport Dog showing the proper fit. Even if you do not have this brand of collar, the fit will still be the same with any electronic collar purchase.
Once we have the proper fit of the collar established, we can move on to effective, efficient, and humane use of the collar. Whether you use the collar with a leash and collar (never attach a leash directly to the electronic collar), or you use it for off leash training, the easiest and most humane way to use the collar is to use a 1-2-3 technique.
This technique is exactly what your parents may have used on you when you were a child (it was probably very effective too), which is why it also works so well on your dog. 1-2-3 is when your parents counted to 3; if they got to 3, you knew there were consequences for not doing what they asked or stopping a certain behavior.
This technique is exactly what your parents may have used on you when you were a child (it was probably very effective too), which is why it also works so well on your dog. 1-2-3 is when your parents counted to 3; if they got to 3, you knew there were consequences for not doing what they asked or stopping a certain behavior.
**This training method should not be used to train new commands only to reinforce already learned commands**
With the collar, we use 1 (audible tone) 2 (vibrate setting) 3 (shock setting). For example, you ask your dog to sit. If they sit, great job to them, they get praise and love. If they don't, then we press the tone button on the control which signals the collar to beep at them: this is 1. We then ask them to sit again. If they sit, great! Celebrate and love on them. If they don't, we turn the controller to vibrate setting and have the collar vibrate for 1-3 seconds so they notice it. This is 2. We ask a 3rd time to sit. If they do not sit the 3rd time, we turn the setting to shock. This is 3.
The shock should never be prolonged or harmful to them. Many collars come with a dial where you can control how powerful the shock is. If your dog is more stubborn, you may need a higher setting. Ideally, you want the shock to be high enough to immediately get their attention as a correction but not high enough where they yelp and seem painful. This takes some time to find the perfect setting for your individual training needs.
The shock should never be prolonged or harmful to them. Many collars come with a dial where you can control how powerful the shock is. If your dog is more stubborn, you may need a higher setting. Ideally, you want the shock to be high enough to immediately get their attention as a correction but not high enough where they yelp and seem painful. This takes some time to find the perfect setting for your individual training needs.
The main concern always with any training method, but especially with more invasive training tools, is that they are used correctly every time and never used inhumanely. To prevent this, we recommend to never train when you are:
1. Angry
2. Upset
3. Tired
4. Frusterated
5. Short on time
6. Distracted/trying to multitask
If any one of the above apply to you prior or during a training session, STOP the training session immediately, WALK AWAY from the situation, and only RESUME training when you are in a better emotional/head space. Ensuring that you are in control and also in the right mind space for training keeps training sessions productive and more importantly safe for you and your canine.
1. Angry
2. Upset
3. Tired
4. Frusterated
5. Short on time
6. Distracted/trying to multitask
If any one of the above apply to you prior or during a training session, STOP the training session immediately, WALK AWAY from the situation, and only RESUME training when you are in a better emotional/head space. Ensuring that you are in control and also in the right mind space for training keeps training sessions productive and more importantly safe for you and your canine.
I hope that you have enjoyed this month's blog articles. Please feel free to contact either thru the blog or on our Facebook page with any questions/comments/concerns you have. Next month we will be covering Cat Health!! Stay tuned for new articles every Monday!!
