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10 reasons why your dog training isn’t working
It can be incredibly frustrating to expect your dog to behave, but when calling their name or commanding them to do things and receiving all but a blank look on their face. Many dog owners take on their new companions without knowing how to manage the basics of training, one of them being commands. If you’re in this position, stop what you’re doing, refrain from bellowing words at your dog and consider these 10 things while training your dog.
Have you got the right treats?
Owners like to believe that all dogs are driven by their undying love for them, but in reality this isn’t the case. While some dogs are driven by attention or inedible rewards like toys, others require something of higher value. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) believes that, in many cases, treats can be used to get the excitement from your dog if used in the most effective way. As a rule, find your dog some treats that are soft, smelly, and small, to allow your dog to accept it quickly during training.
Looking for something that is more natural for your dog? Dr Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian, dog behaviourist and trainer, recommends treats like freeze-dried liver.
Are you giving enough rewards?
The environment that surrounds us is full of distractions, which dogs are more sensitive to than humans. Therefore, as the trainer, you are constantly battling with multiple sensations and it’s important that you retain high value in the eyes of your dog. The use of high value treats can aid your ability to maintain your dog’s focus and it’s also critical that, for younger dogs, you are continuously reinforcing the behaviour that you want. Once your dog learns to associate the praise or treat with the intended behaviour, you can begin to extend the time between rewards.
Are you expecting too much?
Like all activities in life, to become good at them requires practice. Bombarding your dog with multiple commands and actions in the first instance is likely to work against you. Often when your dog fails to respond to a command it’s because they haven’t yet associated it with the action. It’s important to stick to the basics for as long as possible until your dog is proficient with each command. Many owners will begin by training their dog to ‘sit’ and move onto a new lesson when the first command is successful on a consistent basis.
Training in a high-traffic area?
Distractions can be detrimental to the early stages of puppy training. While it can be difficult to find a training ground where you won’t be disrupted, the ability to do so will aid your training significantly. Taking smaller steps in your training means beginning with the basics in a quiet room that will set up you and your dog for success.
Consider how much training you’ve done
Are you overtraining your dog? Puppy’s benefit from shorter periods of training with an added bonus if you can guarantee their success. Consistency and determination are also crucial at this stage because if the puppy is successful in ignoring your command or reacting incorrectly, it will learn that it can get away with it. Beginning with a single command and seeing it through to a consistent stage will allow you as the trainer to manage the success of your dog.
Clarity with your commands
Keep it simple. Your dog won’t understand you if multiple commands or sounds are used for a single action. For example, if you use the command ‘here’ for your dog’s recall, but your wife, partner or child uses the word ‘come’, it will become confusing for them. Decide which command the dog should know and avoid deviating from them.
Are you stressed?
Avoid training your dog if you feel stressed or agitated. Not only will it pick up on your emotions, but you are more likely to begin talking to your dog as opposed to using simple commands. Spend this time playing and bonding with your dog. After all, they are great for therapy. Stress can be counter-productive, so perhaps wait for a time that will optimise your dog’s success.
Frustration is counter-productive
Not every dog is a natural when it comes to training. Therefore, training can take a lot of patience and it won’t always be easy, particularly in the adolescence phase. But, pushing your dog too hard won’t work either, which is usually a result of frustration. If your dog doesn’t understand you, it’s likely that your method isn’t working. At this point, go back to something else and figure out why your method doesn’t work before trying again.
Is your dog healthy and happy?
Are you paying attention to your dog’s diet and overall health? If your dog doesn’t feel well, they may not want to train and this can also become frustrating if you’ve not read the signs. Extreme weather conditions can also discourage your dog from listening, for example if it’s too hot (the summer heat should be considered whether you’re training or not) it will neither be safe nor productive to train.
Is your dog getting mental stimulation?
There is a common misconception that a dog requires lots of walking, but with a steady diet and mental stimulation, your dog will be healthy and learn faster. One way to distinguish whether it is receiving mental challenge is if its paws are sweating. If your dog is asleep, it’s not mentally stimulated!
For more tips on how to improve your training or to book in for training, check out the types of training we cover at Breckland Dog Training, from initial puppy training to gundogs.
