Difference between revisions of "Train an Adult Dog"
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===Preparing to Train Your Dog=== | ===Preparing to Train Your Dog=== | ||
#Get some treats that your dog likes. Take small pieces so that you can give it one for each thing it does without worrying about your dog getting fat.Some dogs, especially Labradors and Beagles, are extremely food orientated, and so you can set aside a portion of their daily kibble into a treat pouch, and use this to reward them. | #Get some treats that your dog likes. Take small pieces so that you can give it one for each thing it does without worrying about your dog getting fat.Some dogs, especially Labradors and Beagles, are extremely food orientated, and so you can set aside a portion of their daily kibble into a treat pouch, and use this to reward them. | ||
| − | #Choose an environment with few distractions, such as your backyard. You want the dog to listen to you, rather than watching other dogs having fun in the park. During the early stages of training, when you aren't sure of your dog's response, keep your pup on a leash. This saves unnecessary shouting to get its attention if it starts to wander off. Instead, just gently reel your dog in.<ref>Don't Shoot the Dog. Karen Pryor. Ringpress Books</ref> | + | #Choose an environment with few distractions, such as your backyard. You want the dog to listen to you, rather than watching other dogs having fun in the park. During the early stages of training, when you aren't sure of your dog's response, keep your pup on a leash. This saves unnecessary shouting to get its attention if it starts to wander off. Instead, just gently reel your dog in.<ref name="rf1">Don't Shoot the Dog. Karen Pryor. Ringpress Books</ref> |
#*Once your dog has learned basic commands, then you can continue lessons with distractions - indeed this is beneficial because it helps him understand you expect to react under all circumstances, rather than just in the yard. | #*Once your dog has learned basic commands, then you can continue lessons with distractions - indeed this is beneficial because it helps him understand you expect to react under all circumstances, rather than just in the yard. | ||
| − | #Keep training sessions relatively short to begin with. A typical training program involves two daily sessions of 10 - 20 minutes each. Also reinforce commands by asking the dog to "sit" before meals, or "stay" when you go to get his or her lead.<ref>Train your Dog Positively. Victoria Sitwell. Ten Speed Press</ref> | + | #Keep training sessions relatively short to begin with. A typical training program involves two daily sessions of 10 - 20 minutes each. Also reinforce commands by asking the dog to "sit" before meals, or "stay" when you go to get his or her lead.<ref name="rf2">Train your Dog Positively. Victoria Sitwell. Ten Speed Press</ref> |
#*Different dogs have different attention spans, (just as human personalities differ so do dogs). However, some breeds are more trainable, meaning they have strong powers of concentration. These include German shepherd dogs, Border collies, Labradors, and dogs that were originally bred as hunting dogs. | #*Different dogs have different attention spans, (just as human personalities differ so do dogs). However, some breeds are more trainable, meaning they have strong powers of concentration. These include German shepherd dogs, Border collies, Labradors, and dogs that were originally bred as hunting dogs. | ||
#Be realistic about the speed of progress. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but it takes longer. Don't expect him to pick things up as quickly as a young puppy within their socialization period. However, do not be discouraged if progress is slow. – Stick with it and you will be rewarded in the end. | #Be realistic about the speed of progress. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but it takes longer. Don't expect him to pick things up as quickly as a young puppy within their socialization period. However, do not be discouraged if progress is slow. – Stick with it and you will be rewarded in the end. | ||
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===Deciding What Type of Training You Want to Use=== | ===Deciding What Type of Training You Want to Use=== | ||
#Use reward-based training methods. Some training methods advocate out-and-out dominance of the dog, and whilst it's good to be a leader to your dog, it should be based on encouragement rather than harsh correction. Think of your dog as a junior family member who needs to live by the house rules for everyone's benefit. | #Use reward-based training methods. Some training methods advocate out-and-out dominance of the dog, and whilst it's good to be a leader to your dog, it should be based on encouragement rather than harsh correction. Think of your dog as a junior family member who needs to live by the house rules for everyone's benefit. | ||
| − | #*Reward based training works on the principle of rewarding good behaviors so that the dog wants to repeat them in order to get a treat, whilst bad behavior is ignored, so the dog gets not benefit from it and the behavior eventually stops as a result.<ref | + | #*Reward based training works on the principle of rewarding good behaviors so that the dog wants to repeat them in order to get a treat, whilst bad behavior is ignored, so the dog gets not benefit from it and the behavior eventually stops as a result.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Learn how to use clicker training, as it is an excellent method for training dogs. This is covered in depth at How to Clicker Train your Dog . The principle is to teach the dog to associate the click-clack of the clicker with a reward or treat. Then you give a cue word and use the clicker to mark the exact moment a desired behavior takes place,, and then reward. | #Learn how to use clicker training, as it is an excellent method for training dogs. This is covered in depth at How to Clicker Train your Dog . The principle is to teach the dog to associate the click-clack of the clicker with a reward or treat. Then you give a cue word and use the clicker to mark the exact moment a desired behavior takes place,, and then reward. | ||
| − | #*The advantage of using the clicker is that it's a down-payment on a treat, and so can exactly mark the desired behavior in a way that's difficult to do otherwise.<ref | + | #*The advantage of using the clicker is that it's a down-payment on a treat, and so can exactly mark the desired behavior in a way that's difficult to do otherwise.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Never use a choke chain. They're cruel and not only will your dog probably not like you very much, the choke chain could do irreparable damage to your dog's neck. In fact, dogs have died as a result of wearing choke chains. | #Never use a choke chain. They're cruel and not only will your dog probably not like you very much, the choke chain could do irreparable damage to your dog's neck. In fact, dogs have died as a result of wearing choke chains. | ||
| − | #*A choke chain, prong collar, or electric collar represent lazy or shoddy training. They rely on fear of pain to subdue a dog and make it fearful, rather than encourage it to chose the correct behavior upon request.<ref | + | #*A choke chain, prong collar, or electric collar represent lazy or shoddy training. They rely on fear of pain to subdue a dog and make it fearful, rather than encourage it to chose the correct behavior upon request.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Do some research on dog training. Borrow and buy books on dog training from your local library and your local bookshop. Read books and articles about dog training, behavior, and psychology so that you understand how dogs think, which gives you a vital edge when training them. | #Do some research on dog training. Borrow and buy books on dog training from your local library and your local bookshop. Read books and articles about dog training, behavior, and psychology so that you understand how dogs think, which gives you a vital edge when training them. | ||
#Do not shout at or hit your dog. Be aware that scolding a dog rarely has a place in dog training. Dogs live in the present and if you scold a dog it just links the negativity to you, and becomes wary of you, rather than learning a lesson, which can damage your relationship. On occasions when you are present and wish to correct behavior, such as the dog on the sofa, use a disapproving facial expression and a disapproving noise, to show you are not happy, but punishing by shouting or physical violence achieves nothing other than to damage your bond. | #Do not shout at or hit your dog. Be aware that scolding a dog rarely has a place in dog training. Dogs live in the present and if you scold a dog it just links the negativity to you, and becomes wary of you, rather than learning a lesson, which can damage your relationship. On occasions when you are present and wish to correct behavior, such as the dog on the sofa, use a disapproving facial expression and a disapproving noise, to show you are not happy, but punishing by shouting or physical violence achieves nothing other than to damage your bond. | ||
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===Teaching Basic Commands=== | ===Teaching Basic Commands=== | ||
#Start by training your dog to "sit." Building a solid "sit" command places you in control of a whole variety of situations. For example, if your dog hears the doorbell and rushes to bark, you can interrupt this behavior by asking it to sit, then rewarding the "sit," and removing the dog to a back room where it won't bark. | #Start by training your dog to "sit." Building a solid "sit" command places you in control of a whole variety of situations. For example, if your dog hears the doorbell and rushes to bark, you can interrupt this behavior by asking it to sit, then rewarding the "sit," and removing the dog to a back room where it won't bark. | ||
| − | #*To teach sit, show the dog you have a treat in your hand. Show it the treat at nose level, then arc the treat up above its nose. Say "sit." Your dog's head will follow the treat, leading the pup's head to go up and it's bottom to go down. The moment the pup's bottom hits the ground, click-clack the clicker and give it a reward.<ref | + | #*To teach sit, show the dog you have a treat in your hand. Show it the treat at nose level, then arc the treat up above its nose. Say "sit." Your dog's head will follow the treat, leading the pup's head to go up and it's bottom to go down. The moment the pup's bottom hits the ground, click-clack the clicker and give it a reward.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Once your dog is doing this regularly, start to skip the treat. This builds unpredictability in the dog's mind about whether he or she gets a reward or not and stops it taking them for granted. This means the dog works harder. Eventually, just reward every fourth or fifth command. | #*Once your dog is doing this regularly, start to skip the treat. This builds unpredictability in the dog's mind about whether he or she gets a reward or not and stops it taking them for granted. This means the dog works harder. Eventually, just reward every fourth or fifth command. | ||
#*Once your dog is sitting regularly on command, ask him or her to do this when out and about, before putting its food down, and at the curbside before crossing a street. | #*Once your dog is sitting regularly on command, ask him or her to do this when out and about, before putting its food down, and at the curbside before crossing a street. | ||
| − | #Teach your dog to stay on command. Stay is taught in a similar way to "sit". Get the dog in a sit first, then take one step away. Say "stay", and when the dog doesn't move, click-clack and reward, plus give it lots of fuss. Gradually increase the distance, until you are eventually able to leave the room without the dog moving.<ref | + | #Teach your dog to stay on command. Stay is taught in a similar way to "sit". Get the dog in a sit first, then take one step away. Say "stay", and when the dog doesn't move, click-clack and reward, plus give it lots of fuss. Gradually increase the distance, until you are eventually able to leave the room without the dog moving.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Teach recall. To teach recall, start in a small space, so the dog is never terribly far away. When it turns and takes a step towards you, give a cue "here." As the dog continues moving toward your click-clack, and when it arrives, give him or her a big fuss and a treat. Keep repeating this, until the dog understands what you want it to do. Tell it to come whenever you feed it or under any other circumstance that it will come to you regardless. | #Teach recall. To teach recall, start in a small space, so the dog is never terribly far away. When it turns and takes a step towards you, give a cue "here." As the dog continues moving toward your click-clack, and when it arrives, give him or her a big fuss and a treat. Keep repeating this, until the dog understands what you want it to do. Tell it to come whenever you feed it or under any other circumstance that it will come to you regardless. | ||
#*Make coming to you a good thing for your dog. Be excited, and reward often. Start with short 'come' distances and be sure to release the dog quickly to go to what it was doing. | #*Make coming to you a good thing for your dog. Be excited, and reward often. Start with short 'come' distances and be sure to release the dog quickly to go to what it was doing. | ||
| − | #*Recall is a commonly the cause of much confusion for dog and owner alike. The problem is that it's human nature to reprimand the dog when it eventually comes to you after 30 minutes of calling it. This teaches the dog that when it comes, you get cross, and therefore the dog would really rather not come back at all. Telling the dog off gives him or her conflicting instructions. Instead, no matter how long it takes, always be pleased to see your pet and make a big fuss of him or her.<ref | + | #*Recall is a commonly the cause of much confusion for dog and owner alike. The problem is that it's human nature to reprimand the dog when it eventually comes to you after 30 minutes of calling it. This teaches the dog that when it comes, you get cross, and therefore the dog would really rather not come back at all. Telling the dog off gives him or her conflicting instructions. Instead, no matter how long it takes, always be pleased to see your pet and make a big fuss of him or her.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Once the dog has mastered the command in a small room, try it in the yard. A word of warning though, unless you are completely confident of your dog's recall don't let him or her off leash in the park. Keep the dog on a long line so that you can reel it in if it doesn't obey. | #*Once the dog has mastered the command in a small room, try it in the yard. A word of warning though, unless you are completely confident of your dog's recall don't let him or her off leash in the park. Keep the dog on a long line so that you can reel it in if it doesn't obey. | ||
#Train your dog to go to the bathroom outside. If the dog is poorly house trained, then go back to basics and retrain in the same way you would teach a puppy. Give the dog plenty of exercise, and then back home keep him confined to a small room or a crate (teach him to love the crate. How to Crate Train your Puppy ) Take him outside every hour, and when he squats or relieves himself, say the cue word "Potty" or "toilet" and when he's finished give him a big reward. Also do this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Eventually he will realize it's a super easy way to get a treat, is to spend his bladder and bowel contents in a particular place in order to earn a treat. | #Train your dog to go to the bathroom outside. If the dog is poorly house trained, then go back to basics and retrain in the same way you would teach a puppy. Give the dog plenty of exercise, and then back home keep him confined to a small room or a crate (teach him to love the crate. How to Crate Train your Puppy ) Take him outside every hour, and when he squats or relieves himself, say the cue word "Potty" or "toilet" and when he's finished give him a big reward. Also do this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Eventually he will realize it's a super easy way to get a treat, is to spend his bladder and bowel contents in a particular place in order to earn a treat. | ||
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#Take medical conditions into consideration. A good start is to get the dog checked out by your veterinarian. This allows you to be aware of any limitations the dog has, and also if they are health issues that could explain problems with obedience. | #Take medical conditions into consideration. A good start is to get the dog checked out by your veterinarian. This allows you to be aware of any limitations the dog has, and also if they are health issues that could explain problems with obedience. | ||
#*For example if the dog refuses to sit, it might be the she or he has painful hips, which can make sitting difficult to do. The answer is then to start pain-relieving medication and to consider an alternative command such as "stand." | #*For example if the dog refuses to sit, it might be the she or he has painful hips, which can make sitting difficult to do. The answer is then to start pain-relieving medication and to consider an alternative command such as "stand." | ||
| − | #*In addition, if the adult dog seems wilfully disobedient, it can then be salient to learn that they are deaf, and therefore not hearing your commands. Knowing this can then let you change to hand signals, instead of verbal commands, for the dog to respond to.<ref>Canine Behavior: A guide for veterinarians. Bonnie Beaver. Saunders</ref> | + | #*In addition, if the adult dog seems wilfully disobedient, it can then be salient to learn that they are deaf, and therefore not hearing your commands. Knowing this can then let you change to hand signals, instead of verbal commands, for the dog to respond to.<ref name="rf3">Canine Behavior: A guide for veterinarians. Bonnie Beaver. Saunders</ref> |
#Take the time to understand your adult dog and know what makes him or her tick. For example, if the dog is aggressive with strange dogs, is that as a result of fear or guarding territory? Knowing the trigger can help you retrain more effectively, by building his self-confidence around other dogs or removing toys that he is territorial about. | #Take the time to understand your adult dog and know what makes him or her tick. For example, if the dog is aggressive with strange dogs, is that as a result of fear or guarding territory? Knowing the trigger can help you retrain more effectively, by building his self-confidence around other dogs or removing toys that he is territorial about. | ||
#*If he keeps running away, but he's an unneutered male, then getting him desexed can really help. | #*If he keeps running away, but he's an unneutered male, then getting him desexed can really help. | ||
#*Work out what areas of your dog's training are weak so you can target those areas. Does he have a specific bad habit that needs to be addressed, or could his training just use some general sharpening up? | #*Work out what areas of your dog's training are weak so you can target those areas. Does he have a specific bad habit that needs to be addressed, or could his training just use some general sharpening up? | ||
| − | #*If his responses are excellent, then look at teaching him some tricks. Training is an excellent way to bond with your dog and help him to understand you are in charge. In fact, training a grieving dog can help distract them and ease their grief, as they enjoy the one-to-one time with their owner and it helps feel secure that you are in charge.<ref | + | #*If his responses are excellent, then look at teaching him some tricks. Training is an excellent way to bond with your dog and help him to understand you are in charge. In fact, training a grieving dog can help distract them and ease their grief, as they enjoy the one-to-one time with their owner and it helps feel secure that you are in charge.<ref name="rf2" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
