There is more to training a dog than just taking him to kindergarten class when he is a young pup and then hoping he turns out to be a good dog as he matures. Training covers not just the basics like “sit,” “stay,” and “heel,” but also manners, such as not jumping on strangers and not counter-surfing. Many of us overlook the manners aspect of raising a well-behaved dog until it’s too late—when he’s grown tall enough to reach the dinner table and helps himself to whatever catches his eye on your plate. With smaller dogs, we often ignore training altogether because it’s just easier to pick them up than it is to teach them not to jump on people.
How to Train Your Puppy
So, how do you go about training a puppy? The same way you would train a child—encourage good behavior while stopping bad behavior before it happens. Dogs and children learn in similar ways, and some of the best-behaved children are raised in households with well-mannered dogs. Parents use the same principles on their kids as they do on the four-legged members of the family.
Obedience classes, including puppy kindergarten, are the first step in raising a well-rounded dog. They teach you how to get your puppy’s attention, how to train the basics, and how to look after his physical well-being. For the puppy, it’s all about fun and socializing. Puppies don’t realize it’s actually school—they’re just having a good time, all the while learning important skills.
After puppy class comes the first level of obedience training. More and more trainers are incorporating the kindergarten model into these classes—play sessions, training sessions, and learning sessions all within an hour-long class. Each trainer has their own approach. Some use treats as rewards, while others avoid them, arguing that the dog will only perform for food. There are also trainers who believe in negative reinforcement—harsh commands and tugging on the leash to correct behavior. However, positive reinforcement teaches the dog what appropriate behavior is and, in most cases, offers better long-term results. If you were constantly told “no” without being shown what you were allowed to do or when you did something right, don’t you think you’d become frustrated? Dogs operate on similar logic, so encouraging good behavior while stopping bad behavior is far superior to relying solely on negative reinforcement.
How far you take your dog in obedience training is up to you. Some people enjoy the process, while others prefer to transition to a less strict, more enjoyable form of training that still strengthens the bond between them and their pet. Examples include agility training, flyball, hunt trials for sporting dogs, earth trials for terriers, lure coursing for sight hounds, and tracking (which most breeds can do to some degree). Even a trick class can keep the learning process going, and having a few tricks up your dog’s proverbial sleeve is always a crowd-pleaser.
Manners at Home
Training manners at home or away from class is a bit more challenging, as there’s no one around to tell you when you’re doing something right or wrong. Again, constantly saying “no” only frustrates your dog (and you). So, when your dog is doing something good, let them know! Once they know a few commands, praise them by saying “good sit” when they’re sitting nicely or “good down” when they’re lying down instead of begging at the table. What if they’re chewing something they shouldn’t? Simply tell them “no,” take the item away, and immediately give them something they’re allowed to chew on, praising them with “good ball” or “good chew,” depending on the item.
Table or counter-surfing is one of the worst habits a dog can develop. Once they get away with it once, they’ll always be on the lookout for an opportunity to strike again. The best advice for this behavior is prevention—don’t leave food on low tables or at the edge of counters. If you see a nose sneaking up to sniff the counter, immediately say “no,” make them get out of the kitchen, and lay down (no need for a “stay”—you’re just reinforcing appropriate kitchen behavior). The kitchen should be considered a sacred space for dogs—a place where they behave, are well-mannered, and listen to what you say. Never let them romp or play in the food preparation area. There are too many temptations, and it’s far too dangerous for a dog to think they can help themselves. For larger dogs, like Great Danes, make the entire kitchen an off-limits or “by invitation only” area.
Most household manners can be taught in a similar fashion. As long as you and your family are consistent with the rules, your dog will quickly learn what’s acceptable and what’s not. Simple, effective training methods will turn your unruly pup into a well-mannered and well-trained dog!
