Keep it Short - Keep it Positive

People often make mistakes in dog training that adversly counter-condition their dogs. Training should above all be Fun! If it's not fun, the dog sees it as a chore and will try to avoid it. If you think "forcing" training onto your dog is a good idea, think again.

When I open the door that leads to our training area and my dog thinks it's time to train, he bolts out to the yard and sits waiting for me to begin his training.


I see people all the time coercing their dogs into training and dragging it out long after the dog is "finished." Training sessions with my dog are short, usually around 10 minutes and always end on a positive note. I NEVER end my training sessions on a failure. In other words, if my dog is "not getting it," I will end the session once he does get-it. If you end the session when you or your dog are frustrated, the training experience is negative and that is what the dog takes with him to digest. When I end, my dog is walking tall because I just praised and rewarded him for a job well done.... that is what my dog takes with him.

It's best to structure training in the following manner.

1. Start out your training session with something positive, something your dog knows.
2. Praise your dog and get him motivated.
3. New techniques should be introduced when your dog has a positive attitude and knows you're on his side. He's more willing to trust and try something new if he's previously succeeded at something.
4. If your dog catches on quickly, teach him the new lesson and make sure he gets it right 3 times, then you can end your training for this session. If he's having a very hard time getting it, end the session with something he knows. For example, if I'm teaching my dog a recall and he doesn't seem to be getting it, I'll put a line on my dog and show him what I want by guiding him into the recall. I will not end the session by saying, "The heck with it, maybe he'll get it tomorrow." I can guide him, then praise him so that his last memory will be having completed the task (even though it was with guidance).

The next time I take my dog out to train, I'll add this "lesson" right after something he already knows, perhaps a "DOWN."

If he seems to get things quickly, then I end the session with a game of tug... but a very short one. I generally play tug with my dog all throughout the training. I use the tug as a reward for a job well done almost every time he completes a task properly.

So remember, if you want your dog to learn and enjoy the training process, keep it short and keep it positive. Better 2, 10 minute training sessions that leave your dog wanting more than one 20 minute session which leaves your dog exhausted and frustrated.