Knowing where to start when training your dog can be daunting. There are so many options and it seems like there are so many opinions and ways of doing it. Before you start your training, have a seat and plan out what the beginning of your journey might look like. What you decide to train first is likely to depend on a few things:
Your Dog's Age
Now we all know that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! It is never too late to start training with your dog. Maybe you have rescued an older dog and you are worried that you have missed the boat. Fear not! Dogs are super smart no matter what their age and they can pick up training just as well as a new puppy.
One thing to bear in mind is if your dog has learned any undesirable traits along the way. These may take a little longer to undo.
If you have rescued a dog, be aware that they may not have the best relationship with training and therefore taking it slow and steady can be a good idea.
Other age related points to consider include - young puppies have short attention spans and training should be kept simple and fun; adolescent dogs and struggle to regulate their emotions so you may need to adjust your teaching techniques to accommodate for them; older dogs may be a little slower and their bodies may ache a bit so adapt your training to suit their needs.
Your Dog's History
Try to find out as much as you can about how much training your dog has done before they came to you.
Sometimes breeders will start some basic training with puppies before they are adopted. It can be helpful to know what they have taught so far so that you can build on this.
Of course, it can be more challenging to find out about a rescue dog's relationship with training but be aware that it might not have been a positive one and they may even have little concept of what it is to work alongside a human. Building trust and communication with these dogs first is key.
Your Training Experience
Are you a training expert or a complete novice? There are things to consider for both!
As a novice and first-time dog trainer, consider how much you need to learn before training your dog. Do you know the difference between a cue and a marker? Do you know how to set your dog up for success? Don't worry if not, we all have to start somewhere. Have a think about chatting to a trainer or doing some research on positive reward-based training before making a start.
For all you expert or experienced trainers - check whether things in the industry have changed since you last trained a dog. The science is forever developing and we are constantly gaining a better understanding of our dogs.
How Much Time Do You Have
If you have all the time in the world to train your dog, then great! But not a lot of people do and that's okay. It can be much better for you dog if you set aside short, positive training sessions throughout your day that fit in with you and your dog's routine.
What you teach, though, may depend on your training goals and expectations. If you want your dog to be perfect in all scenarios and with all tricks and tasks then this takes A LOT of time and dedication.
Priorisiting Life Skills
Have a think about what you would like your dog to be able to do in every day life.
Would you like them to be able to join you for stress-free strolls in the countryside? Then maybe recalls would be a good place to start.
Would you like to be able to take your dog to cafes and around town? Then teach them a settle exercise.
How about teaching your dog to have patience and frustration tolerance - steadying exercises such as stay and leave it may be worth considering.
There are so many ways to teach dogs and so many things to teach. The key is to just start somewhere and start enjoying your training journey together. Above all - have fun!
If you need any help at all with your dog or would like more help and advice, please do contact us by dropping us an email at bookings@annabalchdogtrainer.com
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