Amanda Teixeira
Training dogs is not easy. Avoid these deadly sins in dog training to better communicate with your dog.
Do you shout your heart out, but your dog continues to play happily? You say “sit” and he lies down? Then you may have made a mistake in dog training. You should avoid these seven common mistakes.
Avoid continuous sonication
Your dog is not hard of hearing. If he knows the command, a single call is enough. Every additional word is superfluous and undermines your authority. If you keep saying “Here!” yell, he’s guaranteed not to come. You keep telling him where you are and that you are waiting for him (or even following him?).
Word and gesture
Your dog interprets your facial expressions, your body language and the intonation of your words – and combines them. If your posture and gestures don’t match, you’ve lost. If you tremble with anger and whisper “Come here”, you can wait a long time for your dog.
Consistency is important
If you were consistent at first and now get lax because he “can” now, he’s got her. Soon he won’t be doing anything anymore. The same threatens if you basically reward every good action with a treat. He will only want to work “for pay”.
Once is enough
The dog lies down, you walk back and keep saying “stay!”. As soon as you fall silent, the dog races after you beaming. Because he has learned that he must not move while the command is being given. You should therefore avoid this error at all costs.
The right timing
He has gone away calling “Heel!”. He may have heard it, but now it will only irritate him. “Hop” commands five meters before the ditch are similarly ineffective. The dog cannot associate the words with their meaning. Commands must therefore be given at the right moment.
Timely praise
A good dog wants recognition for what he has done. But it takes time to get the treat out of your pocket. In the rush, you shove it down your four-legged friend’s throat at the moment he’s begging for it, whimpering. He will probably always do the latter now. That is why praise must always be given at the right moment. This works particularly well with a clicker.
Note your internal clock
Your dog works perfectly at the dog park, but at home it misbehaves completely again. These can be the reasons:
- You haven’t practiced enough outside, the dog thinks that he only has to obey in the dog school.
- They are only consistent in course.
- You motivate in the course with treats and toys, outside it should suddenly work without.
It’s not bad if you make mistakes. It is important that you learn from it and refine your dog training accordingly. This is how you and your dog become a good team.