As a dog parent, you are entitled to train your own canine companions. In fact, it is much better to train them.
Training serves both as a mental exercise and a physical one. It exercises the dog’s reflexes while enhancing muscle memory both at the same time.
Most of the time, training is thought of as an activity that is not fun. It is the truth, most of the time, training our canine companions is not fun for the both of you.
However, anybody can still convert it into a fun activity instead of an awful one. DIY dog training is an effective way to teach them new tricks, while reducing the dullness in the process.
Gentle and strict methods are recommended most of the time, but there are ways that they can be a little more fun for the both of you.
As a trainer, you are the key to making the activity a little lighter. With proper tools, commands, and routine, you can easily enjoy the time that you spend with your dog training.
Take a look at the five ways that you can do to make the dog training fun while still having a dog that obeys you.
1. Make it short and sweet
We all know as dog parents how our canine companions can be somewhat easily distracted. The fact is, they get bored easily in general, and not just during training.
Thus, it is much recommended to keep the training sessions at around 5 minutes. However, you have to keep in mind that this short training comes with a lot of changes in your dog’s training regimen.
It has to be done with proper positive reinforcements and consistency. An example would be to schedule your training throughout the day. Some trainers do their sessions twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon.
Scheduling makes the dog become more familiar with the training regimen as our canine companions value consistency and rules in their house. It will also help establishing the training routine since dogs will now be more familiarized.
Ideally, it is the best option to build your own training schedule, which comprises of multiple sessions during the day and the afternoon.
2. Spice it up
Even though training is generally fun for dogs, we cannot deny the fact that it can be boring most of the time.
Spicing up your dog’s training means that you will make it more fun. Don’t get stuck to the notion that fun will somehow ruin your dog’s training.
It’s true that excessive fun will get your dog to ruin what he learned, but the normal amount of fun would be more beneficial.
Just make sure that it won’t be excessive. One way that you can spice up your dog’s training is by using treats. Treats can be used as both stimulation and reward at the beginning of the training and after it ends.
Aside from treats, you can also use toys. Some trainers even change these toys and treats once in a while to keep things a little bit more interesting for their canine companion.
Another way that you can spice up your dog’s training is by changing locations.
Most people would train their dogs on their own yards, but once you get the chance to go to the park or pass by a new route, you can make a whole new adventure with your dog even while training.
The most versatile toy that can be used is the tennis ball. You can use it indoors, outdoors, and during walks.
It is not only convenient for you, but also for your dog. It might even minimize the possibility that your dog might collect or chew stuff outside.
3. Break time is important
Although it is important to have a consistent training all throughout, breaks are also important. Experienced trainers knew about this, and they can notice the signs that you and your dog need a breather.
One of the signs that you should look out for is the progress. If you noticed that the progress is somewhat tapering off from the usual pace, it could be the best sign that you need a break.
Taking a break doesn’t mean stopping the training completely, but you can somehow reduce them so that both you and your dog can rest for a while.
It is recommended this way, since it helps you stay consistent with the training regimen and also making your dog’s lives less hassle.
Keep in mind that this is just a short break, and after resting, you can resume with what was left behind in the same pacing as the previous one.
4. Explore new lessons
Dog training does not have to be fixed, and trainers usually make their own training regimen. You can check out some training lesson plans online depending on your desired results for you and your dog.
Training is not exclusively for technical training commands only, you can also teach them how to fetch, roll over, catch, and many more.
With the help of their toys, the desired training could be easily achieved. AS a trainer, you do not have to stop your usual lineup of training commands.
However, you can always introduce a new command every now and then, which makes it pretty much exciting for dogs.
5. Introduce new challenges
One way to hype up training lessons is to introduce a challenge. Any trainer can always meet up with a fellow trainer and aim for a friendly competition.
As much as possible, you can exchange pointers as to how to establish training better. This allows any dog parent to introduce a challenge to their canine companions for the better.
If you are alone by yourself, you can always do a command relay, wherein you voice out a series of commands and record how fast your dog is going to follow them.
Try to beat out some personal bests and it should be fun enough after executing it so well.
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