Training Basics

These are some of our main rules for dog training at Findon Downs Dog Training Club :

• One of the main sources of motivation for a dog to do something is a reward.
• Rewards take the form of praise, play, or food.
• Rewards should only be given for correct responses. Incorrect responses should for the most part be ignored. It is much better to show your dog what you want him to do and praise him rather than to continually correct him for doing something wrong. Give him every chance to get it right first time with your assistance - that way all he ever gets is praise and reward, and he will never want to do it wrong!
• You must learn to be very aware of your timing when rewarding your dog - the reward is for the thing that the dog is doing at that specific time, not at any time beforehand. If you are too late giving the reward, you will be praising for the wrong thing, e.g. getting up instead of sitting.
• Dogs take time to learn new things, so don't expect them to understand immediately. Do not be tempted to rush teaching an exercise, assuming that your dog will understand. You will probably just both end up confused and frustrated, and your training will suffer. Remember also that dogs can sometimes reach a plateau in their learning, therefore you may have to go over some exercises again from basics.
• Try to practise the exercises learned in class every day for about 5-10 minutes, but do not practice the DOWN immediately before/after the SIT, for example, as this is likely to confuse the two exercises in your dog's mind. It is important to practise regularly at home because this is a major part of the training programme. Just attending for about an hour every week will not produce the results you want.
• Choose times for training when you're feeling relaxed and in the right frame of mind. It is important to be patient and not get angry with your dog. He doesn't know what you want of him, which is why you are teaching him how to behave.
• Be consistent. It does not matter whether different members of your family train the dog, as long as it is always done in the same way.
• Pick a Release Command, and stick to it - use it every time you end an exercise, so that your dog learns it's meaning.
• Do not allow your dog to ignore your commands, wherever you are or whatever you are doing. It is better not to give the command if you know that it will not be obeyed and you are not in a position to enforce it.
• Train your tongue - do not say things like 'Sit Down' - your dog cannot possibly obey all of this command, can he?

These are the only commands you really need to train your dog to the highest standard - try to be aware of all the other 'noise' you subject your dog to when he is trying to work for you!

1. Dog's name
2. Heelwork command
3. Come
4. Sit
5. Down
6. Stand
7. Hold/Fetch command
8. Sendaway command
9. Release command, e.g. Okay
10. Praise, e.g. Good boy

Back to Introductory Page