Any experienced trainer will recommend that you introduce your dog to its first commands at home.
In an environment that is familiar to her and that does not distract her. Also, you can teach her at home what you would have a hard time teaching her at the park or training ground - read on to find out how.
Traveling to a training facility can be time-consuming and expensive, so not everyone can afford it. But you can train your puppy well at home.
Dog trainers recommend house training, especially for dogs that are just starting out. For young puppies, wait until they are at least 3-4 months old, so their muscles are developed enough that a lot of exercise won't hurt them.
1. Try basic commands at home first
If you want to teach your dog to sit, lie down, or come to you on command, start at home. It's a safe environment, and your dog doesn't have as many sensations around him.
Once you say the command "Come to me", make sure that the dog actually follows it and runs up to you.
Entice him with treats or his favorite toys. Alternatively, use a training leash to pull him toward you when he doesn’t listen. Be generous with praise and encouragement.
2. Start by leading in a calm environment
At home, your dog will get used to the fact that it is best to walk at your feet, not to pull and not to try to sniff every heel or dog that passes by. But this requires patience. Train at home for at least two weeks (20-30 minutes a day is enough).
At first, just walk straight, maybe back and forth down the hallway. Later, add turns and pivots. When your dog can even stop, he is ready to go outside. Don't rush things, or you will have to start all over again.
It is very important that you do not back down. When you give the command "leg," the dog must understand that this means to go on the right or left leg (not alternating). He should not pull, overtake, or back up. If you stop, he will stop. When training at home, not only will your dog relax on walks outside, but so will you.
3. Use things you can't find in the park
Stairs are usually the most common weakness for dogs. They need to learn the walking rhythm so they can board the train without any problems.
Take your pet between the shoulder blades and walk him around the room. This will give him confidence that you will not let him go and he will not be afraid on the stairs. Respect his pace and do not force your fluffy to do anything. If today does not work, try tomorrow.
4. A vacuum cleaner or shower can help.
It sounds a little strange, but even household appliances or dishes can help in training and teach the dog not to be afraid of unexpected sounds.
Start with a shower, try tapping on the lids, and finally, start the vacuum cleaner or blender.
Teaching your dog not to be scared is very important, especially if you want to take him for walks without a leash. You need to make sure that he does not get scared and run away.
5. You can't do this without treats, praise and patience.
You can't train any dog if you feel nervous or impatient. Don't put pressure on him and reward him appropriately for each success. Praise him enthusiastically and give him his favorite treat or even a few bones when he obediently follows the command.
Especially at the beginning of training, you will be rewarding a lot, so it is better to buy treats intended for this purpose. They have fewer calories.
Our advice: If you can't train at home, attend an obedience school to learn proper training techniques.
There you can also meet other dog trainers and exchange experiences. But keep in mind that before going out among other dogs, your pet must be able to walk on a leash, hear its name and run when called.
