Dog Obedience Training Guide for Beginners

Providing your dog with behaviours that are positive reinforces your and your dog’s bond and will prevent the development of unwanted behaviours through time, all of which will lead to a stronger relationship and trust and understanding of each other. In this guide, you will find ways to start effectively with your obedience training sessions through steps, suggestions, and techniques.

Dogs Learn Based on Their Behaviour

By knowing what type of dog you own, it will assist you with running your training sessions for the benefit of both of you. Dogs also learn commands primarily by repetition and by forming associations.

Learning Commands by Repetition and Association

Positive reinforcement is a common and encouraged training method used today. Recognising Basic Behaviours to Train Correctly will help you understand how your dog reacts in different situations.

Excitement will cause dogs to jump or bark
Fear can lead to aggression or hiding
Destruction is usually caused by boredom

Essential Basic Commands of Obedience Training

Basic commands are the basis of all obedience training for your dog. Basic commands will help keep your dog under control in different situations and will help keep your dog safe at home and while out.

Core Commands to Begin Training Your Dog with

The sit command is the easiest command to teach and is the foundation for most commands going forward. The stay command teaches the dog to stay where they are until they are told they can move.

The come command teaches the dog to return to you when called. The down command teaches the dog to behave calmly.

Commands Used By Dogs

Use the commands listed above during training or play to help improve your dog’s response time. Practice the commands regularly in small doses to get the best results.

Sit for control and focus
Stay for safety
Come for recall
Down for calmness

Helpful Tips for Teaching Your Commands

Your pet will allow you to help him/her become increasingly proficient in his/her performance by using patience when teaching these commands. Consistency and repetition will improve learning outcomes over time.

Benefits Of Positive Reinforcement Training Techniques

Positive reinforcement training techniques have proven to be the most effective methods of dog training today. Many professionals can confirm the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training techniques for all types of dogs, including ASPCA dog trainers.

Reinforcement Methods

Quick-Reinforced Food Treats
Playful Toy Incentives
Praise Verbal Reinforcement
Bodily Affection – Bonding

Training Timing and Consistency

Training problems result from Warning too late. Too late = confusion for your Dog.

Timing is significant; therefore your Dog’s reward must follow immediately after the correct behaviour. Inconsistency in your training methods also holds up training and will slow progress.

Maintaining Consistency

Staying Consistent with your method of training will lead to improved results and quicker progress for your Dog. It is also important to vary locations when repeating your commands.

Practising at home and outside will allow your Dog to become comfortable and respond regardless of location. Practising consistently will improve your Dogs confidence and obedience level.

Each Family has the responsibility for Maintaining Consistency in their Training
Every Trainer must follow the same set of rules, limitations, and methods
Each Trainer should use the same set of guidelines
Always provide for good behaviour and do not reinforce negative behaviour

Leash Training and Distraction Control

If you teach your dog to remain at your side and follow your pace while walking with a leash will allow you to have control of the situation. Therefore, beginning your dog’s leash training at a younger age will help you train out bad behaviours in the future.

Starting Leash Training

To get started leash training, if your dog pulls, do not move until your dog returns to the side of you. This helps reinforce correct walking behaviour.

Handling Outdoor Distractions

Outside, there are a plethora of outdoor distractions such as other dogs, people and noises. Training your dog to concentrate when they are exposed to distractors is a necessity for ensuring the health of your dog and the safety of you and your dog.

When similar threats occur while supervising your dog, give the command “sit” or “stay” to distract your dog back to you. Once your dog has regained interest in you, continue practices of distraction until you are confident that your dog has achieved a solid command.

Improving Focus

Encouraging your dog for remaining composed and paying attention aids in slowly increasing the level of distraction to enhance overall behavior. Consistent exposure improves obedience and response.

Addressing Behavioural Problems

Training a dog can be a daunting endeavour for beginner trainers, with barking and jumping and not adhering to commands being common behaviours. By fully comprehending this behaviour and properly addressing it in the beginning of training will help create a much easier process.

Understanding Behaviour Causes

Many dogs develop poor behaviour patterns such as excessive barking and jumping due to lack of positive reinforcement or excess energy. Finding the root cause will allow you to determine the best method to make behavioural improvements.

Professional Recommendations

According to professionals associated with the Humane Society of the United States, using positive and consistent training techniques is essential. It is also important to use positive reinforcement techniques instead of harsh consequences.

Improving Behaviour

As you see small improvements in the dog’s behaviour you should reward them for those improvements to motivate the dog and build confidence. Consistency and positive reinforcement are important for making behavioural improvements.

Make corrections calmly and consistently
Reward positive behaviour
Help your dog understand expected behaviour

Socialization and Advanced Training

As expressed by experts with the International Association of Canine Professionals, early and regular socialization will increase your chances of having long-term success with your dog’s behavior.

Introduction to Advanced Training Skills

Now that you have completed the basic commands, you may begin the process of training for advanced obedience commands. Advanced obedience training provides you with opportunities to train your dog on effective communication skills.

Advanced training creates a better bond and stronger foundation that will result in your dog responding appropriately and consistently to various situations.

Your Journey

Dog obedience training is a journey that will require time, understanding and consistency by both the owner and their dog. The purpose of starting with the basic commands and providing positive reinforcement is to establish a strong framework of behavior.

Building a Strong Companion

Each of these points will provide you with the ability to create a well mannered canine companion. With your time and determination, it is possible to correct troublesome behaviour and improve confidence.

Long-Term Success

If long-term success is going to occur, then working with an established source of reliable information and maintaining a consistent approach will be beneficial. Teaching your dog “command” based obedience will create a strong and long-lasting bond.