Introduction:

Have you wondered what the training best practices are? Well, you are in luck because this is what we will cover to help push you further into training.

With that said, here are 6 reasons why you should start using best practices today! 👊💪

1. Listen and adhere to sound advice.

This is tough because, let's face it, listening to others (even if you pay for it) is just TOUGH! We as people also factor in what we think is good advice or not, which is another dilemma. However, do your research on the trainer you are going to hire to ensure you are getting what you're paying for. After all, dogs are part of the family and devote their lives to us; we can do the same for them. Lastly, not all training advice is going to work, so make sure you are honest when providing feedback so you can get the most out of your trainer.

2. Match the trainer to your personality.

Personalities are always fun to deal with and we do so on a daily basis. But, here are some questions to ask yourself about the trainer you are interviewing:

• Does the trainer have a clear understanding of the information they are providing?

• Can the trainer give you some details on their background?

• Lastly, does the trainer have the ability to bring life to your conversation?

Now, this is just a very short list (plenty more questions to ask), but how they're answered will help you get a feel for who this person really is. I encourage you to be very inquisitive... really get to know the trainer and their personality.

3. Find a trainer with real experience.

Have you ever purchased something and thought WOW, what a waste of money!! Hiring a dog trainer can be similar. Some examples of questions to ask may include:

• Where did this trainer get their training from?

• How long have they been training dogs?

• Do they have real life experience training dogs?

• Can they provide real life examples on how training works?

There is a lot to be said about quality training; for instance, while I was in the military some of the best trainers I had, could break down a training scenario and provide you with several examples & methods on how performing tasks a certain way could enhance our performance as a dog team.

4. Less is more!

You read that correctly, less is more. One thing I see quite frequently are dog owners overworking their dogs. Dogs are like toddlers, especially with their attention span. With this thought in mind try working your dog in short sessions. I usually recommend 3-5 minute sessions or 5-10 minute session depending on the dogs age and the owners schedule. Now, this is not necessarily for every dog. Some dogs need more than others and that is handled on a case by case basis.

5. Consistency.

One of the keys to long-term success with your dog is CONSISTENCY! You dog needs a schedule or routine. Dogs are creatures of habit and one thing we can do is be consistent in our training & exercise schedules. Dogs typically become easier to handle as well as less destructive when they are worked consistently.

6. Timing.

Another key to dog training is timing! When I was taught timing, it simply meant the time between the dog doing, or not doing the task, and how quickly we responded with praise or correction. The longer I train dogs the more I realize this is not as important as spending quality time with your dog. Sure, training obedience tasks is great and all, especially when done effectively and efficiently... You know, maximizing your time. The time I am talking about is building your relationship with your dog, understanding their changes of behaviors, how they react to situations, bathing, and soooo much more.