After seeing professional guide dogs or military working dogs, many owners imagine that their own dog could also become a model companion that understands commands and performs impressively on walks. Most dog lovers have probably had that thought. Yet after several attempts and plenty of treats, many owners give up. So what is the correct way to approach dog training?
When to train a dog
Early stage (newborn period: birth to 2 weeks)
At this stage, a puppy's eyes are not yet open, the ear canals are not functioning, and it has no usable vision or hearing. However, it can feel touch and basic sensory contact. This is the first step in training: the puppy begins to become familiar with the presence and scent of the person who will train and care for it.
Guidance period (2 to 4 weeks)
As the puppy's eyes open and hearing begins to develop, it starts facing a more complex environment. This is also a time when the earliest awareness of instruction can begin to form at a subconscious level.
Learning period (4 to 12 weeks)
This is a critical stage. Research suggests that if a puppy between four and twelve weeks grows up in isolation without meaningful human contact, it may later become very difficult to train. By the later part of this period, the puppy's basic pattern of cognition has already been established, so this becomes one of the most important windows for early training.
Basic training commands
1. Toilet training
This is one of the first concerns for most owners. Dogs usually need to relieve themselves after eating and after waking up. So after meals, take the dog to a designated place and place newspapers or similar material there to guide it. If the dog urinates or defecates elsewhere, move it away immediately and tell it ?No.? You can then place some of the dog's waste in the designated toilet spot so it associates that smell with the correct location. Whenever you notice the dog is about to go, guide it there in time. If it uses the correct place, give a reward right away.
2. Shake hands
First let the dog sit. Extend one of your hands, then gently lift one of the dog's front paws onto your hand while repeatedly saying ?Shake.? Move the paw lightly as you say it. If the dog does it correctly, reward it so that it learns there is a benefit. After enough repetition, the dog usually learns the behavior.
3. Lie down
This command is best taught by guidance. While the dog is sitting, give the ?Lie down? command and pat the ground in front of it. If the dog does not respond, gently press its body and guide the front legs forward so it slowly lowers itself. At the same time, praise and reward the dog with treats.
4. Sit
This is one of the most basic actions and not very difficult. Some dogs sit automatically during feeding. At that moment, give a reward and repeat the command ?Sit.? If the dog does not sit on its own, hold food in one hand and gently guide the dog's rear downward with the other while repeating the command, then reward it. After several repetitions, most dogs understand.
5. Stay in place
Put a collar on the dog and give the ?Sit? command. Then raise your hand in a ?Stop? gesture and ask the dog to wait. If it moves, start over. If it stays still, keep rewarding it until it can hold the position for about two minutes. Once the dog can do that, step back one or two steps and repeat the process. This helps strengthen the foundation. As training continues, move around while the dog keeps watching you, and gradually increase the distance between you and the dog. No matter how far you go, the goal is for the dog to remain where it is and continue waiting.
6. Roll over or ?play dead? style response
Before training this, first have the dog sit calmly in front of you. Then make a playful ?bang? gesture toward the dog and say the chosen cue. Guide the dog into a lying or side-lying position, or even onto its back if appropriate. During the process, prevent the dog from standing up and remind it not to move. After the dog stays still for a few seconds, release it with a recovery command such as ?Up,? then reward it. Repetition is the key.
When training a dog, always remember that behavior should be shaped early and opportunities should be seized at the right time. Training does not succeed overnight, so persistence is essential.