Dog Training Essentials

Training a dog to roll over or bark on command may be cute tricks, but including training that teaches pets behaviors that will keep them safe are essential for a pet to coexist in any environment with people and other pets. Training starts the minute a puppy enters the home. While it is too much to expect perfect behavior, puppies can gradually learn by consistent and routine consequences to their actions at a young age.

Since housetraining a dog is often the first behavior most owners want to teach, it is important to have a plan. The term "crate training" is often used to describe a training method whereby the puppy is kept in a kennel when it is not supervised to prevent accidents in the house. While crate training is quite popular and effective, whatever housetraining method owners choose, they should recognize puppies will have accidents. Patience and consistency are keys to training. Owners should stay with the same training plan from the beginning to the end.

Other important obedience training for dogs includes walking on a leash and appropriate behavior around other dogs and people - i.e. not jumping up or biting. Learning to sit and stay can also prevent harm when a dog wants to run into traffic. Other commands that can prove to be safety measures include "come" and "drop it." Working with a trainer and developing consistent commands will help owners teach these commands effectively.

One of the best ways to train dogs - and cats - is to use clicker training, a positive reward training method that uses operative conditioning. By using highly positive rewards (usually treats) in conjunction with a clicking sound for correct behavior, the "click" becomes the positive reward in itself. Because it is a quick, instantaneous sound, the behavior is instantly rewarded and the animal relates the behavior with the positive result easier than a voice response. Clicker training is appropriate for young and older dogs and can be used for a variety of behavior training and tricks.