Want to give your dog the best training possible, but aren’t sure how to go about it? No problem!

We’ve compiled a list of the most common mistakes people make during dog training, so that you don’t have to wrestle with what to do with your canine. Just remember to not let these mishaps get the way of having fun and creating that special bond with your furry friend.

1) Waiting Too Long To Train

Training starts the moment you bring your dog home for the first time. Don’t assume you’re your dog will learn when they grow up. Bad habits can develop at any age. Focus on house training and basic commands first, especially when dealing with a young puppy. Over time, your dog will be ready for more advanced commands; but again, training has to start once you bring your dog home. The ultimate goal of dog training is to shape your dog’s behavior, and to teach them how to react to specific commands.

2) Training Inconsistently

“Like any other type of training that you’ve ever done in your life, it takes consistency,” said Roland G. Marcus, a lifestyle blogger at Study demic and Boomessays “From endorsing good behavior, to how you time your sessions, you need to stay on it. Try not to change up commands, allowances, etc. unless you really need to. If your dog isn’t responding to a certain command, then you can change the wording or visual cue. Otherwise, stick with what you already know.”

3) Not Enough Training

Remember that training is never a one-time thing. Make it a routine by having short training sessions at least two to three times per week. Like humans, learning never stops for a dog. Ongoing training can help your dog improve on skills, and keep them sharp. And, constant training gives you quality time with your canine.

4) Impatience

Your dog may not catch on to something at times. But don’t panic. Like humans, dogs may learn at their own pace.

Consider whether to go at a different angle, or shortening the session. And make sure that your dog is paying attention, so that you don’t have to repeat yourself, and settling for rewarding them for listening after four or five times of repeating the same command. Wait for a result, and only repeat it if there’s no response.

5) Inappropriate Disciplining

“Most dog trainers will tell you that punishing your dog during training can hurt them more than teach them,” said Edward Charlton, a content writer at Academized and Viawriting “In fact, dogs are more likely to respond to rewards, thus giving them that drive to perform a training stunt correctly. But yelling, hitting, stare-downs, or leash-jerking are not only ineffective, but also hazardous to your dog. You don’t want your dog to turn on you, or make them afraid of you. Do your research first, before using the ‘assert dominance’ scare tactic. You should be your dog’s friend, not a bully.”

6) Encouraging Wrong Behaviors

It’s common for dogs to seek attention from their owners. But giving attention to them when not deserved (such as letting them in the house right away when they bark or whine excessively) can encourage wrong behaviors. Ignoring your dog can be one way of discouraging bad behavior; but don’t do that, if your dog has a habit of gnawing on furniture or making a mess in the home. Instead, try giving them a toy, or get them to do training exercises.

7) Being Too Repetitive

The most common mistake that you can make while training your dog is being too repetitive. Even though it’s imperative for your dog to catch on to commands and cues, but remember that they have short attention spans, and can get easily distracted during training.

The best thing to do is to repeat a command no more than ten times; and if your dog doesn’t respond, then move on to something else. Also, opt for ten- to twenty-minute training sessions a day, so that you don’t bore your canine or yourself with a long, all-day session.

Conclusion

Everyone makes mistakes, especially when building a relationship with your furry friend. But don’t beat yourself up for your mistakes; just pick yourself up and keep training. And pretty soon, you and your dog will get along, and create a fun and pleasurable experience.

Molly Crockett writes for Essay for sale and Big assignments, where she writes about her unique lifestyle tips, and offers personal development advice to her audience. She also teaches writing skills for Elite assignment help.