1. Be consistent in your commands and "house-rules."
2. Be vigilant as to what behavior you are actually rewarding. It may not be what you think!
3. Keep training simple, positive, and short. Aim to "quit while you are ahead."
4. Be clear about what you want to train and train one aspect at a time.
5. Break exercises into easy steps, You can put things together later (chaining).
6. Promptly reward (reinforce) the right behavior with a clear, well-timed marker of reward.
7. Build very gradually, using small steps towards the desired end result (shaping).
8. Start without the command (cue); once your dog repeats the behavior reliably, add the cue.
9. Use special treats, a fuss or a toy – but know what your dog values!
10. If you are not in the right mood, postpone training.
11. Young animals have short attention spans, so don’t ask puppies to do too much - a couple of repetitions only.
12. Time out’s can be valuable and help to absorb learning. A stressed dog cannot learn. Be aware of your dog’s emotions.
Recommended Books:
Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
How Dogs Learn by Mary Burch and Jon Bailey
Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
How Dogs Learn by Mary Burch and Jon Bailey
Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
