Does your dog know—and obey—important commands like Sit, Stay, and Come? Making sure your canine pal knows basic commands is very important, both for petiquette and for safety reasons. If Fido isn’t completely trained yet, we strongly recommend that you see to this right away. Read on for some great dog training tips from an Oshawa, ON veterinarian.

Start With The Basics

Dogs can learn many different commands. Fido may learn to fetch your slippers, get you a cold drink, or turn the lights on and off. However, before you get too caught up in teaching your furry friend fun tricks, make sure he knows basic commands. The five most important ones are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. These are crucial because they can help you keep your pet under control at all times. For instance, teaching Fido to Come can help you stop him from approaching dangerous animals or areas, while the Stay command can keep your pooch from charging off if you drop his leash.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Never punish Fido for not learning quickly enough. This can backfire, and can make him feel anxious, angry, and/or confused. Positive reinforcement is a much better tactic. Also, your canine companion will enjoy his classes much more if he has a positive impression of school. How do you get a dog to like something? Treats! Use small snacks, like pieces of kibble or cut-up hot dogs, so you don’t overfeed your adorable student.

Class Furriculum

Dogs don’t have very long attention spans. Don’t bore Fido with long, drawn-out classes. Keep class short and sweet, about 20-30 minutes per session. Choose a place that is quiet and free of distraction, so your pup will be able to concentrate on his training. You probably won’t have much luck training your canine buddy if there’s a kitty in the classroom!

Keep Classes Fun

Try to work with your pet daily. However, if you are in a bad mood, it’s best to skip a class or two. Dogs are very intuitive, and can easily pick up on their owners’ mood. If Fido senses that you are feeling grumpy or blue, he may become nervous about training. You definitely don’t want that! Do you have questions about your dog’s health or care? Call us! As your Oshawa, ON animal clinic, we are here to help!