Training your dog can feel like a full-time job. However, there are certain strategies you can use to increase the efficiency of the dog training process. Read on as a vet shares some tips on how to encourage positive behavior in your dog.

Positive Reinforcement Is Key

The goal of dog training is to create a well-behaved dog who will listen to your commands. The most effective way to achieve this goal is by using positive reinforcement techniques. When training your dog, it’s important to remember that they are not humans and respond differently than we do. Therefore, if you want your dog to learn quickly and easily, you need to make sure that you’re using positive reinforcement techniques. 

Tips on How to Encourage Positive Behavior in Your Dog

Even the best dog trainers can’t make a dog do what it doesn’t want to do. The key to training is getting your dog to WANT to do the behavior, and then rewarding it when they do! Dogs are a lot like people. They like to be praised when they’ve done something right. The problem is, we don’t always know what they’re thinking!  Here are some tips on how to encourage positive behavior in dogs:

• Start with small steps. If your dog doesn’t know how to sit, try teaching them how to lie down first. Then work your way up from there as they get more comfortable with each step.
• When you’re teaching a new behavior, go slow and keep things fun! As long as your dog is enjoying itself—and not getting stressed out—it’s probably going well!
• Be consistent. If you say “sit” and then don’t get your dog to follow through, he will not understand why he should sit when you tell him. You need to be consistent with your commands so that your dog understands what he is supposed to do.
• Give treats after each correct behavior and praise often! This helps motivate your dog, and reinforces the idea that good behavior is rewarded with treats or affection–which means he’ll want to keep doing it!
• Stay calm when correcting bad behavior. Dogs don’t respond well to angry owners. If your pup does something wrong, try using a stern voice and saying “no” or “bad dog,” but then distract them with another activity or treat before they get too upset by scolding them too harshly!

If you have more questions or wish to schedule Fido for a wellness checkup, feel free to call our office anytime!