training can be easy

What if I told you that there are some easy ways to hack your dog training to make it easier on yourself and your dog?

You don’t have to take everything on at once when you are training your dog a new behaviour. As long as you are consistent and make a point of noticing and rewarding when they are doing things you want them to do, you WILL get there. Most reinforcement-based training protocols fail when an owner is not consistent, but it needn’t take up your entire mind if you set yourself up to succeed.
Here are some tips to help.

Reward Stations
Establishing a reward system is crucial when training. Reward stations give you quick access to treats, so when your dog does something right, you can immediately mark it with a "good" and reward them. This could be as simple as having dry treats in pots in every room the dog is allowed.
Reward drives behaviour - the more you reward a behaviour, the more likely it is that you will see it again. This principle can be a game-changer in your training process.

Mark It When It Happens
It is so important to acknowledge and reward your dog when they do something you want to see more of, such as chilling out under their own steam, coming inside when you ask them to, etc. Use your reward stations to do this.
Remember, your dog won't know what you want them to do if you don't tell them. Often, we don’t let our dogs know they are doing something right but will let them know when they are doing something we don’t want them to do, by telling them off or giving them attention - inadvertently rewarding them! Be clear with communicating when your dog is doing the right thing, and they won’t resort to the wrong one to get feedback.

Little and Often
Training shouldn’t be a long and tiresome process; most dogs thrive on little training sessions, which are much easier to do with them. You can get your repetitions in by taking advantage of small chunks of time over the day.
Short training sessions during TV ad breaks, whilst the kettle boils, or you're waiting for toast to pop can be incredibly effective. The key to solid behaviour is consistent repetition, and these short yet regular training sessions can help achieve that.

Keep It Focused
It's tempting to try and work on ALL of the behaviours you want to train at once, but you can over-face your dog and yourself by doing this. Use separate training sessions to teach different new behaviours and stick to it until it has stuck.
Don’t do too much at once. You can chunk them together when your dog understands and is fluent at each behaviour. This focused approach will make the training more manageable and less confusing for your dog.

Management
Last but not least, use management strategies to stop your dog from performing behaviours you don’t want them to do. You can’t be “on it” 100% of the time; you’re only human. Appropriate use of management is indispensable.
It’s FINE to utilise management like baby gates, room dividers, window coverings, and changing your routines to support your training journey. These measures can prevent unwanted behaviours and pave the way for a successful training process.

Training your dog doesn't have to be a struggle. With these tips in mind, you can turn this task into an enjoyable bonding experience with your dog. Remember, patience and consistency are key.


If you are struggling to work out a training plan, book a free call to speak to me and see how we can work together to achieve your goals.

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