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Dog Training - Common Dog and Puppy Training Mistakes

Written By: Jill Davidson

We admire a well-trained dog or puppy, the faithful companion who responds to every command of his owner. So why don’t our own dogs and puppies behave that way? As well-intentioned dog owners, we may be making mistakes in our dog training methods, confusing our poor dogs as to what we expect of them. Owning a dog who is friendly, well-behaved and welcome anywhere is a great reward for your efforts, when you avoid these common dog training mistakes:

Dog Training Mistake #1 - Lack of patience.

Training a dog is not so unlike raising a child. It can take months, if not years to fully train your dog. Young dogs are like young kids, naturally rambunctious, curious, and often still unable to restrain their impulses. Puppies can learn simple dog training commands such as sit, stay, and down at an early age. Giving the puppy one of these simple commands can distract him from trouble when you’re not close enough to stop him physically. These basic puppy training commands are quickly learned, but training needs to continue as long as it takes for you to teach your dog to behave appropriately around family members, guests, strangers, and other pets.

Dog Training Mistake #2 - Lack of consistency.

Puppies need to be taught not to jump at or nip on people, not to snatch food off of our plates, not to chew on things that aren’t their own toys, and many other social skills that they won’t learn if you don’t take the time to teach them. The skills they do learn need to be reinforced regularly. Short, daily puppy training sessions will be more effective than sporadic lessons. The puppy will enjoy the much-needed attention and these one-on-one dog training sessions will reinforce his bond with you. The effort you expend on training your dog will pay off in the long run if you are patient and consistent in your training efforts.

Dog Training Mistake #3 - Lack of socialization.

Dogs are pack animals, and love company, but dogs who are not well-socialized may be fearful and distrustful of strangers and other animals. Socialize your puppy - introduce your puppy to new people and new experiences early, and regularly, so he feels confident when meeting strangers.

Dog Training Mistake #4 - Wrong training attitude.

Your dog looks to you for leadership. Adopt a no-nonsense attitude during the dog training session using a stern, but not unkind, voice when teaching commands. Let him know you mean business; no cajoling or sweet-talking him into performing. As pack animals, dogs respond to power before affection. Once the feat is accomplished, he may be rewarded with soft words and the occasional treat.

Dog Training Mistake #5 - Overuse of treats as rewards.

Dogs learn best by positive reinforcement, but that reward doesn’t have to be edible. Giving your dog a treat each time he responds to a dog training command correctly encourages him to believe that a treat must be given, and turn him into a beggar. His truest reward is your approval (notice how his tail wags when he knows he’s pleased you), and a scratch behind the ears and kind word won’t add too many calories to his diet. Using treats as an occasional reward is most effective when training your dog or puppy.

Dog Training Mistake #6 - Using the wrong dog training methods for your breed.

Consider the general characteristics of your breed and the methods of training that different dog breeds may respond to the best. Pure breed dogs are not always true to their characteristic type, so you must get to know your dog’s individual personality to find the most effective dog training method. With mixed breed dogs, your dog’s personality is all you may have to work with, so it is vital that you understand your dog’s character to train him effectively. Research various training methods and choose one that seems the best suited to your dog’s personality. If you’re unsure, a few sessions with a reputable dog trainer may help you find the most effective dog training method for your dog.

Dogs can be wonderful companions and become like one of the family with careful and consistent dog training from an early age. If you’re willing to commit years to raising your children to be caring, responsible citizens, doesn’t your family dog also deserve your time and effort so he can be a welcome member of society instead of a troublemaker or menace? Learning the correct dog training techniques for your puppy or dog is the first step in creating a loyal, loving, canine addition to your family.

Additional Dog Training Resources:

• Fix the 5 Most Common Dog Training Mistakes - NBC

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