It’s always fun to teach your dog new tricks, and any dog can learn. We love our dogs and enjoy teaching them tricks. The number of tricks you and your dog can learn are only limited by your imagination. All you need is a little creativity, the right methods and you are on your way to success.
To teach a new trick to your dog, begin by deciding what the final trick looks like. Once you have defined the trick, break it down into small, easily accomplished components. Practice and reward each component until your dog is offering that skill frequently and successfully before adding the next step. This is called shaping.
Behavioral training is important, as it sets the standards your puppy needs to follow in their daily life. You need to teach your dog not to jump on people, beg for food, bark excessively, or chew the furniture.
Potty training also falls into this category, and for this you need to reinforce where it is “ok” to go to the bathroom and where it is not. Consistency is the key. Decide from day one the behaviors you want to reinforce, and stick to it. If you plan never to let your fully grown dog on the couch, don’t let them climb all over it as a puppy.
Successfully training your dog will give you a well mannered pet that is happy, healthy and responds to your commands. It only takes a couple of short training sessions each day to reinforce the behaviors you want, and the number of commands and tricks your dog can learn is virtually infinite. Keep reminding him of the tricks he already knows, and when introducing new tricks to him, be sure to do it one at a time.
Training is a continuous process. Whether you dog is 8 months or 8 years it never hurts to keep teaching them new things! Keep their mind active with useful or frivolous “tricks” and your dog will reward you with love and devotion.