Are you ready to put some trust techniques into practice so you can win your dog’s devotion?
Following four easy steps will increase your emotional bond and mutual trust as you train your dog or puppy…
Step 1: Keep It Simple
Keep your teaching simple. Resist the temptation to repeat and repeat the commands. Dogs learn in a step-by-step manner.
If you expect your dog to do something before you have properly taught her to do it, she will lose confidence and resist trying again. The same dog, given a simple, step-by-step training approach can become a dog that is eager to learn and ready for more complicated training as she matures.
Your dog must concentrate in order to learn words or perform tasks. As your dog focuses on you and the training, she will tire quickly because she is not accustomed to concentrating for so long or so intently.
Step 2: Live in the Present Moment: ("The Bow-Wow Now")
Dogs notice and respond to what is right in front of them. They do not worry about the past nor agonize over the future. Dogs, especially pups, have a short attention span. They move from moment to moment, exploring and learning as they go.
As you ask your dog to focus on you, she will learn to tune everything else out and direct all of her attention on you. Dogs have an amazing ability to focus intently and completely. As she concentrates on your eyes, you may feel an intimate and personal moment between you and her.
Understanding the canine mind becomes an opportunity to enjoy living in the "present moment" with our dogs. As you become aware of working in the present with your dog, you may find, as I have, that you can create a calm state of mind because you have trained yourself as well as your dog to focus on the present moment.
Step 3: Build Confidence
Building confidence in your dog is as important as feeling confident yourself. Confidence will allow your dog to feel good about herself, understand that she is loved and that the world is safe for her, especially with you.
Male dogs are considered puppies until three years of age, while females mature at two. Prior to two or three years, your seemingly mature dog is not mature. You are simply living with a puppy brain housed in a big body! Knowing this can ease your anxiety in appreciating your growing puppy as he transitions to adulthood.
Five to ten minutes of training a day is sufficient. Always leave your dog wanting more. End the training session with a quick game that your dog likes to play. Hug each other and finish. She will look forward enthusiastically to the next session.
Step 4: Teach Them Words
Dogs are extremely observant and make connections through actions that they associate with the words we use in our daily lives. Like people, they listen for words that tell them what to do.
As your training progresses, your dog will learn to associate a command with an action. The only way she'll learn to associate a command with an action is if you use the word every time you guide her into doing what you want.
A dog who appears to be difficult may not be difficult but is unclear what you expect from her. This is an example of how understanding the dog's mind, the stages of your dog's development and proper training are so important for building your relationship together.