Training Me

Lili sittingOK, I’ll be the first to admit it, when I’m out and about I can become easily distracted. Especially when my friends are out playing too. So I suppose it might be a good idea to let the humans know how they can encourage me to come back to them if they really, really want to stop me having doggie fun.

If you want me to come back then these are the most important things to remember:

  • Always praise and reward me with something nice for coming back. I like chewies!
  • Never punish me no matter how long I take because I’ll just get confused
  • Train and practice as much as possible – that way I get more treats!
  • Don’t expect me to come back straight away – that just wouldn’t be fair, after all I’m a busy doggie and I need time to say hello and play with my friends


Do

Practice in my home and garden first
Start training as soon as possible
Keep sessions short (10 minutes) and fun
Reward or treat me on a random basis, once the new command has been learnt
Try to use hand signals with verbal commands, as some of my friends find these easier to recognise
Keep commands clear and consistent
Take your time and be patient
Stick to one new command per training session
Always give me an enjoyable long-lasting chewy treat when you’ve finished

Don’t

Let me get bored – stop immediately if you see this happening
Tell me off if I get it wrong
Shout or physically punish me – I’ll just get scared
Train me when I’m tired
Chase me when you want me to come – this always feels like a great game and I’ll run away even more!
Try to train me in an area with lots of distractions, such as other dogs, people, noises, smells
Expect too much too soon
Expect me to understand everything, remember I speak doggie first and your language second


Useful links

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors

UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists

Centre of Applied Pet Ethology

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