Dog training – techniques you need to know

Puppies are adorable furballs that love to play, be cuddled and sometimes get into mischief. Your puppy has learnt the first rules of dog life from their mother and now you’re taking the lead. You will teach them how to behave in order to live harmoniously with their human family and the world around them. Even if your puppy is only a few weeks old and has just been weaned, they are already capable of understanding quite a lot. First of all, you should get them used to their name by saying it to them several times a day. Don’t be tempted to use pet names such as “my baby”, “my doggy” or “little treasure” to beckon your puppy. You can use them later if you want to, but they need to learn their name first.
Next, they are going to learn what is allowed and what isn’t. For this, you can use the command “no” or “stop”. The word itself is not important, what matters most is that you remain consistent with the word you have chosen. When your little companion does something that they are not allowed to do, for example taking one of your shoes to play with, firmly tell them “no” or “stop”. As they are more used to hearing you speak to them softly, they will certainly be surprised and may even stop what they’re doing altogether. If that’s the case, praise them with a “very good” and give them a little treat. Be careful not to give them too much, however, and choose treats that are suitable for their young age.
Another basic and very important command is calling your dog back. Some owners say “here”, others prefer “come”. Train your puppy at home by first going to a different corner of the room. They will see you again and you can reinforce your command with a treat or a gesture. Here too, don’t forget to praise your puppy once they have reached you. Once they have understood this command, you can change the training location, e.g. you can go into the garden. There will be more distractions that will make the exercise more difficult in the beginning. With patience and gentleness, you will eventually succeed in teaching your dog to come when you call them in all kinds of different places. Your puppy will then learn the commands to sit, lie down and stay.

It is important that you get your puppy used to walking on a lead from their very first days in your house. Buy them a collar or a harness that is not too heavy and suitable for their size. Of course, everything that happens outside is very exciting for your little furball. So choose a quiet place to teach them to walk on a lead without pulling. Do not use a retractable lead for this exercise. The variable length may confuse your puppy. Given their young age, your little companion is not yet capable of concentrating for a long time. So opt for several ten-minute sessions a day rather than one long one-hour session. If you have a big garden, you can also train your dog there. If your dog pulls on the lead too much, simply change direction. Repeat this until they stop pulling. They will eventually realise that the less they pull, the more interesting the walk becomes. Consider taking some treats to give them as a reward if they walk where they should and how they should. Venture into different places gradually so that your puppy can meet other puppies and people other than their family.

You have just taken out the rubbish and come back into the kitchen. Your puppy welcomes you as if you were gone for an eternity by wagging their tail and jumping up on your legs. It may be fun and cute to see a puppy do, but it will be less so with an adult dog, especially if it’s a big one. There’s no way they can continue to act this way and you must discourage this attitude immediately. It’s best to ignore them completely when they behave this way. It’s easier to implement when they are still small. By jumping on you, your puppy wants to get your attention, among other things. So don’t push them away with your hands or shout at them, as this will have a counter-productive effect. The more you ignore them, the less they will want to jump. When they stop doing it, reward them with a “good” and carry on doing what you’re doing.

A pointing dog is a hunting dog whose role, as its name suggests, is to search for game and stop as soon as it is found. This instinct to stop is innate in the following breeds:

• Various Braques, such as the Braque Français and the German Shorthaired Pointer
• Various Setters, such as the English Setter and the Red Irish Setter
• Various Spaniels, such as the English Cocker Spaniel
• The Pointer

 
Training a pointing dog should be done from a young age once the dog has learnt the basic commands. Many hunters put their young dogs directly into situations where they are confronted with game while holding them by the lead. It’s a chance for them to see if their dog instinctively stops. If that is the case, the training will be much more simple.

As a family, you have decided to adopt a dog and your children are overjoyed about having a new playmate. The younger the children, the more you need to make sure they understand that your dog is not a toy, but a living being. You will therefore be faced with dual education: for your puppy and your kids. One, for example, will learn not to nip at children and the others not to disturb the dog when they are asleep or want to be left alone. Set an example by being gentle and respectful towards your little furball. If you have infants, show them how to stroke the dog. Explain to them that they should not pull the dog’s fur, tail or ears because it will hurt them. Do not encourage violent games, even if the kids say “fighting is fun”. Living with a pet is an opportunity for them to take on a sense of responsibility.

Do you already have other pets and have adopted a puppy or an adult dog? The new member of the family will probably be seen as an intruder on the territory of those who already live with you. The first meeting is crucial. So do everything you can to create the best possible atmosphere and reassure your pets. Above all, don’t leave them alone for the first few hours. An adult cat who has been the only animal in the house up until this point may have difficulty accepting the new arrival. Give them the opportunity to retreat or take refuge on high ground. If your dog starts to chase the cat, intervene immediately with a very clear and firm “stop”, even if the dog is only trying to play.

Despite all your efforts, does your dog not obey you, or not always? Does your dog know their name and basic commands, but tend to ignore them sometimes? Have you followed all the advice to get them to walk on a lead next to you and they still insist on pulling on the lead every time they go for a walk? Consider taking a dog training course before the situation deteriorates. It’s easy to find a dog club or independent dog trainer near you. The price varies depending on the area, the club, the instructor and whether you want group or individual lessons. Compare the prices online and read reviews to make the best decision for you and your faithful companion. Rest assured, these courses very often lead to a clear improvement in a short space of time.