Training a dog isn’t always easy. In many ways it can be similar to trying to raise a child, as your pooch has the capabilities to learn commands like sit and stay, but doesn’t always want to listen or understand why it’s a good thing to do as they’re told.
Successful training not only strengthens the bond between you and your dog but can also be a vital tool when you take your pet out for walks. Having your dog sit on command or knowing that your pooch won’t leave your side unless told they can do so can make all the difference in ensuring they don’t run into danger when not on a lead.
But according to one dog trainer on social media, there’s one mistake many pet owners make that can cause their dogs to ignore them – and it’s a very simple thing to fix.
Laura Aikins, founder of dog training company Round of Appaws, said that in order to effectively train your dog, you need to be “patient” with them and not overload them with commands.
In a video on TikTok, Laura filmed herself issuing a “place” command to a dog, which was meant to involve the pooch lying down on their bed. Although the dog sat in their bed relatively quickly, they spent a long time looking around before realising that they needed to lie down before being given a treat.
Laura explained that although it is common for pet owners to repeat the command several times, this is a mistake and it can lead to confusion. Instead, you should be “patient” and wait for your dog to process the command you’ve given them.
She said: “When a dog trainer tells you to stop repeating your commands, this is exactly what we mean. Be patient. You have to give your dog a chance to respond and process information given, especially when teaching a new behaviour.”
The expert then noted that if she had repeated the command or added another command to the mix to tell the dog to lie down, she would have been doing a “disservice” to the animal.
Laura also offered more advice in the comments, including what to do if your dog doesn’t understand the command and just wanders off instead of listening.
She wrote: “Sometimes, if we ask for too much upfront, if the dog gets confused, they will tend to go find something else to do if they get lost. I would encourage you to break down the behaviour into smaller steps.”
And commenters thanked her for her approach, with many admitting they were guilty of repeating commands and would be trying harder to follow Laura’s advice going forward.
One person said: “I love this method of training! Asking too much leads them to not think for themselves, therefore not really learning and understanding the command.”
How to train a dog
According to the RSPCA, training your dog can give it the freedom to do things it wants, like running off lead, while still keeping it safe and under control, as you know it’ll come back when called.
Training should be reward-based, meaning you give your dog something they like (such as food, toys, or praise) when they correctly follow the command you’ve asked them to do. The better the reward, the more likely your dog is to enjoy training and actively want to participate, so finding out what your dog’s favourite treats are is crucial.
RSPCA’s top training tips:
- Minimise distractions – always start lessons for new tricks in a quiet room in your house, away from any distractions
- Break training up into short but regular sessions so your dog isn’t overwhelmed
- Be patient – just like us, dogs all learn at different rates, so don’t worry if your dog doesn’t pick things up straight away
- Always end with something your dog knows, so the session finishes positively
- Have fun – training is a great way for you to bond with your dog!