Common Mistakes in Dog Training

What are the common mistakes in dog training? The majority of mistakes owners make are not critical, but can slow the training process. Below is a quick list of mistakes people make and what you can do to avoid them.

Training for Long Periods

Training for long periods of time will not produce better results. Both owners and dogs can become bored if breaks are not provided. Long sessions can be tiresome for both the owners and dogs. Keep sessions short and fun to maintain focus. Fully engaged sessions are more effective because you can maintain your dog’s attention better during this time.

Not Practicing Regularly

If you are not practicing commands regularly with your dog, you cannot expect your dog’s obedience to be spot on. To maintain good overall obedience, practice commands consistently. Set aside time to follow through. This benefits both you and your dog.

Always Training at the Same Area 

People often train their dogs in the same place, like their homes. Dogs do not generalize easily, so you should try training them at various locations, so they can understand their commands better in a wide variety of settings.  

Not Proactive

Dog training takes time and technique. Be patient and remain consistent as there is NO replacement for repetition. Be proactive in training your dog for situations that you know they will find themselves in (distracted by other dogs, distracted by people, noises, objects, etc).  It’s better to work on these things in a training environment so they are much easier to deal with in a real world environment.  We believe in training dogs for harder scenarios than they will actually deal with in a real world environment. 

Give the Dog 100%

Remember, the dog you are training does not care what you have going on in your life (a break-up, tired, stressed, etc).  As I tell my trainers, “You chose to train the dog, the dog did not choose to work with you; therefore, YOU owe the dog everything and they owe you nothing.”  Always make a conscious effort to be motivated, up-beat, and fun! If you find yourself (or the dog) getting frustrated, it’s time to take a break! Give the dog 100%!

You are Not Consistent

The KEY is consistency!  There is no replacement for consistency.  If you give the dog a command, it is imperative that you follow through 100% of the time.  If the dog believes there is a loophole in your training system, they will certainly find it.  If I tell the dog down, and they break the command five times, I will put them back six times. Only letting them up when “I” give them the release word.  If you are training inconsistently, you should expect inconsistent results.  

Apply What Training Works Best For the Dog In Front of You

A lot of people forget that the most important dog in the world is the one that’s right in front of them!  Adjust your training, style, and methodology to whatever works best for the dog that is in front of you! 

Ask, Ask, and Ask!

Lastly, if you are ever unsure about a specific dog, behavior, or issue, ASK!  Our world is filled with incredibly knowledgeable trainers, ask one or two of them for their advice! To see the transformations, check out our YouTube Page.

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