Dogs can be a great source of both companionship and affection but, unlike cats, dogs need to understand that they are part of a pack and that their owner is the head of that pack.
Similarly, leaving a dog alone in a house for a day or even outside in a yard where it can run around is not enough to stimulate the dog, and it will inevitably become willful and disobedient, not to mention destructive of property.
Dog training is, at its heart, a very simple concept, but people tend to cloud it with their own misconceptions and preconceptions, leading to a much more difficult training experience than need be.
As with any form of training, it is the basics that matter, since that is where all else builds from. These three rules are basic, fundamental truths of dog training – follow them and a marked improvement in any training regime will be noted.
Be Firm
As mentioned above, dogs are part of a pack, and in the absence of strong leadership, they will assert themselves as the one in charge. Most dogs are not actually happy with this arrangement, but are hardwired to "take charge" if need be.
This means that those dogs that run roughshod over their owner's homes and yards, jump up on everyone they meet and bark incessantly are, although well-loved, not the best versions of themselves they could be. Thus, the first rule: Be Firm.
This means that when giving the dog a command, such as "sit", "stay" or "come" the word is said sharply, and with authority. It does not mean that the word needs to be yelled, but said instead in a loud, clear voice so there can be no doubt that it is a command, not a suggestion.
It also means that the command is said only once. Once. Not once as warm-up and then again. Once. If the dog does not comply within a reasonable amount of time (2 or 3 seconds), the onus is now on the owner to make the dog comply, which leads to the second rule.
Be Prepared
Be prepared to make the dog comply. This means if asking the dog to sit, the owner needs to be close enough to the dog to make that happen if the dog refuses to do so on its own. The reasons for refusal can be myriad, from not understanding the command to the age of the dog to simple dominance issues. Regardless of the reason, however, the dog must be made to do what has been asked of it. Repetition and consistency are important here – the more often the dog is told to sit and then made to do so, the quicker the mental association will be made.
It is important to consider what command is being issued to the dog before giving it. A good rule of thumb is to take a moment and consider the request before saying it out loud. The owner should take a moment to scan the area and check to make sure that the command can actually be enforced. For example, if the intention is have the dog "come", how will the owner get the dog to comply if it ignores the command?
Repeating the word is not a good idea as the dog will begin to develop the association that the first command is not the "actual" command, and will be a hard habit to break once ingrained. One option is to have the owner hold a favourite treat of the dog's, to give it a reason to come. Another is to have a leash on the dog, so the owner can compel the dog to come if it refuses. This concept, known as "correction", is the basis of the third rule.
Be Quick
No dog is perfect – they will each have their own particular quirks and each will have certain commands they almost instinctually know, and those that it abhors. No matter the dog breed or temperament, they will at some point in time need correction. That is, they will not do what the owner wants and must be made to do so, as mentioned in rule one.
Some dog owners use a "pinch" or "choke" collar to train their dogs. While these names seem harsh and painful, either of these tools in the hands of a properly-trained user can be very effective and painless. Others will choose to train their dogs using "clickers" or simply by using food. But whatever the method, when the dog does not comply, a correction must be made.
The key, as the rule states, is to be quick. If the dog refuses to stay and the owner allows it to wander around for several minutes and then sits it back down and says "no", the dog does not know what it is being corrected for. The correction must immediately follow the action the owner does not want. If done consistently enough, the dog will learn both what is expected of it and what it should not be doing, all at the same time. This will allow the dog to progress much faster.
The other thing that a dog owner must be quick with is praise. When a dog has done just the right thing, stayed where it was supposed to, or didn't eat the family cat when asked not to, it is important to praise the dog for the achievement. This reinforces the pack mentality, and allows the dog to take pride in its achievement when it is being praised by the leader.
Dog training, as stated at the outset, takes patience and hard work. Dogs, just like humans, will go through highs and lows in their learning process, and will seem to forget one day what they learned just the day before. But, with consistency, love, these three rules firmly in mind, any dog can become a trusted and obedient member of the family.
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