Are You Making These Common Dog Training Mistakes? Part 1

The most common dog training mistakes and how to avoid them

Advice from an expert in dog training in Leichhardt

Dog training isn’t as simply as one might think. Basic things might be easy to teach but adding duration, distance and distractions is a different thing. As an expert in dog training in Leichhardt I often see people make small mistakes that have a huge impact on their training. Therefore I’ve listed the most common training mistakes I see owners make in my dog training classes.

You don’t train your dog often enough

Most of us do teach basic behaviours and routines to our new dogs. I don’t know many more exciting things than training a puppy. But once the relationship stabilizes and our dog grows, we often stop training. Consequently, response times for important behaviours can worsen. Or even worse: a dog won’t even respond. This is simply a lack of practice.

Keep your dog’s obedience level great through working them randomly and regularly, a few times each day. And no, it doesn’t mean organising a training session every time. Simple exercises “Sit” for dinner, “wait” before stepping out, “down” at the dog park… Be spontaneous and unpredictable! Then, each month, teach a new behaviour, a fun trick, to keep your dog’s mind busy. After all, dogs need mental exercise as well.

You repeat commands

Unfortunately, I see this often. Especially among owners with challenging dogs. The owner keeps repeating the command such as “sit,” or the dog’s name but, due to distractions or lack of training the dog fails to respond. The owner keeps asking repeatedly until, finally, the dog obeys. This ‘ignoring you the first time’ becomes a learnt habit, one that’s very hard to break if it goes on for a long time.

This happens with behaviours that haven’t been fully proofed. This means distraction training. It’s not enough that a dog learns to do something at home, they need to learn it everywhere else too! This can also happen with commands e dog doesn’t particularly like to obey, like leaving the park.

Use should always teach commands as fun tricks. Start at home and treat reward at first every time with praise. Then work it in other locations, reducing treat rewards along the way while increasing praise. Make sitting, lying down, or coming when called the greatest things to do!

Once you are sure a dog knows a behaviour, ask only once!

If you are ignored, it’s either because you haven’t proofed your training, the dog is distracted or your reward isn’t valuable enough. Take your dog to a quiet spot and ask again. If he still ignores you, go back to basics and re-teach the command, avoiding the mistake of asking multiple times.

Eazy Dog Training offers dog training in Leichhardt

DOG TRAINING CLASSES IN SYDNEY

Monthly On-Going Dog Training Classes in Inner West Sydney

Join my Basic Obedience Class in Annandale, Puppy Pre-School in Leichhardt and Dog Agility classes in Sydney.

My training classes are located in Glebe Federal Park (next to Annandale Pet-O) and puppy school in Pawsum Dog Grooming and Daycare in Leichhardt.

Welcome to training your dog in a fun and rewarding way while making new friends!

Being a dog owner also means accepting a responsibility to train your dog manners. But a well-behaved dog does not happen overnight. It takes commitment, consistency and time, but is well worth the effort. Therefore an obedient dog is a valuable asset in your life, but most importantly a pleasure to be around. Dog training doesn’t only improve the bond between you and your dog. It also makes a huge difference to your dog’s behaviour and contributes to their social skills both at home and with other dogs outside.

Eazy Dog Training offers positive dog training in Leichhardt and Inner West Sydney area for dogs any age, breed and skill level.