January is National Train Your Dog Month! Of course, Fido’s education is important all year long. Training is really what makes the difference between your pooch being a ‘Good dog’ and being, well, a bit unruly. Here, a vet lists some common dog training mistakes.

Inconsistency

There are many schools of thought when it comes to dog training. You can opt to go with clicker training, or stick to more basic options. Each method has its own pros and cons. However, switching tactics halfway through Fido’s petucation may do more harm than good. Consistency is also important when it comes to teaching vocal commands. Man’s Best Friend is smart, but he won’t understand different ways of saying the same thing. If you say Sit one day and the next day tell your furry pal to Sit down now, you may just confuse your cute pet.

Poor Curriculum

We know, tricks like Shake Paw and Roll Over are super adorable. However, you’ll want to start with the basics, like Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. Work on these key commands one at a time. Don’t move on until your four-legged student has mastered each one. (It’s worth noting that it’s usually easiest to start with Sit, as it’s so easy for dogs to pick up.)

Long Classes

Our canine pals don’t really have very long attention spans, except of course when they’re watching you cook bacon. Fido may lose interest if his classes are too long. Keep puppy training sessions short and sweet. About 15-20 minutes at a time is good.

Negative Reinforcement

Never punish your furry friend for messing up, or not picking something up quickly enough. Dogs all learn at their own paces. It’s also important to understand that Fido doesn’t really have a good grasp on punishment. He may not know why you’re angry, which can make him anxious. It can also cause him to form a negative association with training. That’s the last thing you want!

Stopping

Training is often more of a journey than a destination. Once your canine buddy has mastered the basics, try working with him in a busy area, like a park. Or, move on to more advanced commands. You may find that Fido really enjoys learning new things! Please call us, your local vet clinic, for all of your pup’s veterinary care needs. We’re always happy to help!