Dog Raising Tips: Secrets Your Dog Trainer Is Hiding From You

D og raising started over ten thousand years ago after the domestication of dogs. Since then humans have raised different breeds of dogs to become remarkable friends and companions.

Even with domestication, the brains of dogs haven't become as advanced as that of their human friends. They still require training that may last throughout their lives. 

Whether you're planning to get a dog or have one already, raising a dog that can carry out some simple tasks, perform tricks or behave in a certain way will make the relationship more fulfilling. 

Dog raising is a simple process that requires no advanced skills but the willingness to learn the techniques and conditioning necessary to modify a dog's behaviour. This is the secret your dog trainer is hiding from you. You must have come across a trainer that brags about having magical power to tame the most powerful dogs and bring them to submission. This is total deception! With the use of hand signals, verbal cues and tools like clickers, toys, games or anything that will make it convenient to raise a well-behaved dog, you can train your dog. Just like anything else that involves skills, learning and training is the way you can gain the experience. What separates you from an expert is skill and experience in handling different types of dogs. And you can acquire those skills through learning. 

By following these dog raising tips below, you will raise a well behaved, happier, confident and obedient dog. You will also be able to modify behaviours and even correct bad habits for days, weeks and months till the new behaviour takes root in your dog. 

All that is required from you is patience, repetition, consistency, calmness and confidence. These dog raising tips are effective because they're rooted in science and has been used by many great trainers like Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz who trained Bo, Obama's dog; and Victoria Stilwell in It's Me Or The Dog, an Animal Planet show. 

Step 1. Know Your Dog

Research in the US has shown that more than 3 million dogs enter shelters annually. Most of these dogs are taken to animal shelters by their keepers after becoming frustrated with the result they get from training. The lack of proper understanding of dog breeds, personality, age and life experience is among the factors that can fuel this decision.

In order to raise your dog effectively, the breed of your dog should be known. This is because a dog's behaviour is genetically hardwired in their DNA and more efforts and time may be needed to shape or cope with such behaviour as the case may be.

The age of the dog should also be known since dogs of different ages respond differently to training. Puppies are more willing to learn and have a good brain that can easily take and process information. Adolescent dogs are more wild and naughty. Matured adults give the trainer the opportunity to train effectively while senior dogs require patience and repetitive training because their brains are full of information, connections and impressions.

What happened to your dog from birth, the experience and nurture can affect the behaviour as well as the personality. Knowing your dog's previous experience and personality will enable you to raise more effectively.

If your dog's behaviour needs modification, finding out the reasons behind it through learning can help you in choosing the right method in correcting the habit.

Step 2. Build Trust

Effective dog raising is rooted in trust because mistrust can lead to the use of force in enforcing acceptable behaviours. Trust is needed especially when you train puppies and newly adopted dogs. So be in charge, remain calm, patient and composed when building a strong bond with your four-legged friends during training.

Step 3. Use Positive Reinforcement

This method of dog raising entails the timely giving of treats, food, toys or anything your dog wants immediately after the dog has carried out your instructions. It encourages your dog to carry out the instructions more often. Throughout these dog raising tips, attention will be given to this method because giving something enticing to your dog increases the probability of the dog responding to the training. It makes the dog focus thereby simplifying the training process. When you use this method, your dog will behave well in different situations, tolerate things and have self-control. Since the best relationship between humans and dogs depends on kindness and togetherness but not on submission and dominance, this method will build and keep a connection that will bring trust and stronger bonds in your companionship. Below is an example of positive reinforcement in practice, you can modify it to suit your unique dog raising goal.

Use of Treats and Verbal Praise To Encourage A Desirable Behaviour

• Choose a short one-word command for the behaviour you would desire in your dog raising. You can choose words like stay, sit, heel off, come, and so on. Inform your family members about this command and the behaviour you want it to stand for. This will prevent inconsistency on your part.
• Immediately when your dog carries out the desired behaviour, give a small treat that you held in your hand and use the verbal praise. Ensure that the treat is small enough to prevent your dog from getting full easily on the course of the training. It will make more sense to start the dog raising process when mealtime is approaching since your dog will be hungry and willing to do anything because of food. Repeat this every time your dog carries out the command correctly. This will form a connection between the behaviour and the treat.
• Keep the sessions short at the beginning but be serious because dogs can easily spot inconsistency in your actions. If done properly, your dog will begin to link the treats with obeying your instructions. This can also strengthen the bond and keep you in charge as the leader of the pack since animals like to be lead and instructed.
• After repeating the steps above, gradually withdraw the treats by using them only once in a while when you notice that your dog has become acquainted with the new behaviour. The treat may no longer be important as time goes on but always use it intermittently together with the verbal praise or cues whenever your dog obeys the instructions to reinforce the behaviour and prevent it from fading away.
• Be careful about the timing of the reward as well as the behaviour you reinforce. Giving the treat too early before the dog carries out the instructions (bribery) or too late after the instructions, will make your dog raising efforts ineffective because the wrong behaviour may be rewarded in the process.

Conclusion

The methods you choose in dog raising will determine the outcome you will get. In the end, a well behaved, obedient and loyal dog will always be a great companion than a wild, insecure and arrogant one. You're encouraged to use the simple method of positive reinforcement and then continue with any other technique that suits you and the dog's unique circumstances. Advice from experts should be taken only when it aligns with your needs and that of your dog because you're the one the dog will spend the rest of its life with. 

Other dog trainers will hide these secrets from you but we'll do our best to give you more breed specific dog raising tips.

Trojanpost Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor.