Dog Training: Some Basic Principles

When it comes to dog training, it’s not just about the methods—owners also need to pay attention to certain principles regarding their own attitude.

The Principle of Generous Praise in Dog Training

When your dog does something right, use praise to encourage him and let him know you approve of the action. This significantly enhances the effectiveness of dog training. Dogs don’t inherently know which behaviors are acceptable, which are rude, or which rules they should follow. If you want your dog to learn desired behaviors, the method of supervision and guidance is up to you. Just as a puppy isn’t intentionally rude, it doesn’t know whether its actions please you unless you tell it. Therefore, establishing a puppy’s behavioral habits depends on your expectations and the encouragement you provide. This helps the dog recognize which actions are encouraged in dog training—actions that not only gain the owner’s approval but also receive tangible rewards like praise, affection, treats, or playtime.

The Principle of Firmness in Dog Training

Dogs possess an instinct to follow strong leadership. Therefore, in dog training, it is essential to establish the owner’s authority. The owner is not merely the provider of food or the initiator of play but the leader in behavior. Maintain a calm yet firm demeanor, balanced with friendliness and gentleness, to earn your dog’s compliance and ensure smoother training progress.

The Steady Tone Principle in Dog Training

A dog’s reactions and behavior depend heavily on the owner’s attitude, which is especially crucial in dog training. Using a steady, firm voice when giving commands reassures the dog, encouraging obedience to each instruction and request. When issuing warnings, speak loudly to make the puppy understand where acceptable boundaries lie. Using your voice to halt the puppy’s actions prompts it to stop and reflect on its behavior—an essential method for correcting undesirable conduct in dog training.

The Principle of Sustained Patience in Dog Training

The success of dog training depends not only on the dog’s responsiveness but also on consistent, repeated practice over time. Therefore, sustained patience is vital. Remember that every interaction presents an opportunity for training. Some puppies may repeat the same mistakes, but your consistent requests help them understand what is prohibited and what is permitted. If repeated training fails to yield the desired results and the owner feels frustration rising, it’s best to pause the session and resume later. Avoid rushing the process, as this often leads to counterproductive efforts.

The Principle of Consistent Rules in Dog Training

In dog training, rules must be consistent; otherwise, dogs become confused, disoriented, and overwhelmed. Commands should be reasonable, firm, and clear, and crucially, they must be followed through. When your dog behaves inappropriately, make sure they understand by communicating it through various methods. Rules must be clear and fair. Once established, everyone in the household must enforce them consistently to avoid undermining the training. For example, if you scold your dog for jumping on you when you’re dressed up to go out, but allow it to jump and rub against you when you’re relaxing in casual clothes, this inconsistency will confuse and frustrate your puppy, hindering training progress. Rules must be crystal clear to dogs—their world operates in black and white, with no gray areas.

The Principle of Immediate Response in Dog Training

Training opportunities arise constantly. Whenever you observe your puppy doing something you approve of—such as making eye contact, following you, or greeting you happily without jumping—let them know they’ve done well. Immediate rewards and praise enhance learning during training. When mistakes occur, correct them immediately with a firm “No.” Interrupt the behavior instantly and apply consequences right away. Delayed scolding or punishment is ineffective—it only confuses your puppy, breeds distrust, creates fear, and fosters resistance to training. If your response is delayed, your dog won’t understand the connection between its action and your reaction.

Verbal Reprimand Principles in Dog Training

In dog training, assign a specific word to indicate disapproval, such as “Stop,” “No,” or “Bad.” Deliver this reprimand without emotion or anger, focusing solely on capturing the puppy’s attention. A short, sharp sound works best—avoid shouting or screaming. Never use your puppy’s name as the reprimand word. Their name should always evoke positive associations, preventing them from developing aversion to their own name and disrupting the training interaction.

The Ignore-Bad-Behavior Principle in Dog Training

Puppies often bark to get their owner’s attention, as barking easily elicits a response. Many owners try to stop a puppy’s barking. In dog training, the best approach is to ignore it. When your dog barks, leave the room and don’t acknowledge him until he stops. The puppy will quickly learn that “barking” causes you to leave. This is effective, but as mentioned earlier, your behavior and attitude must be consistent and persistent. When your puppy behaves badly, the dog training process can help align his actions with your expectations. This process may test your patience, but ultimately, you’ll be rewarded with a well-behaved dog. Never give in or show weakness, as this only reinforces bad habits and creates problems. Your dog will eventually understand that controlling its behavior earns rewards from you—a key goal of dog training.

Simple Life Training Methods in Dog Training

Now let’s explore some straightforward life training techniques for dogs.

Name Training in Dog Training

The first major step when bringing a dog home is naming it. In dog training, how do you help him get used to this name that will accompany him for life? When he’s happily playing, eating, or receiving praise, use a bright, cheerful tone to get his attention. Repeatedly calling his name will quickly help him associate that sound with himself. This is a foundational step in establishing the dog’s sense of identity during dog training.

Potty Training in Dog Training

Potty training is a crucial life skill in dog training. After activity, waking up, or eating, dogs often circle around and sniff the floor—signaling they need to relieve themselves. Immediately take them to the designated potty spot. After they go, praise them. After a few repetitions, they will naturally remember where they should relieve themselves. Before training is complete, never resort to hitting, scolding, or forcing their nose into waste to teach them a lesson. This only instills fear, makes commands harder to obey, and destroys the trust foundation of dog training.

Nighttime Barking Training in Dog Training

Dogs in unfamiliar environments often feel unsettled and may take two to three days to adjust. Whining or crying at night is common, necessitating nighttime barking training. At this time, provide familiar scented items, toys, or a clock with a steady ticking sound (which mimics a heartbeat). Alternatively, let the dog sleep where it can see its owner. These measures help the dog feel more secure or redirect its attention, aiding faster environmental adaptation and reducing nighttime barking. This is an effective method for alleviating anxiety in dog training.

Feeding Training in Dog Training

Feeding training is a crucial part of dog training for establishing the owner-dog relationship and cultivating good eating habits. Spend the first few days with your puppy, ensuring you personally feed him, as food is the most powerful lure at this age. This quickly establishes you as the leader through food-based guidance. Dogs prefer consistent feeding locations, which reinforces their habits. Some dogs may drag pieces of food out of their bowl to eat elsewhere—remember to lay down newspaper on the floor. When multiple dogs are present, keep them separated with their own bowls to prevent unequal distribution.
Additionally, during feeding habit training, if your dog frequently gazes at you with pleading eyes while you’re eating, “Good owner, give me a piece,” or whines pitifully in a pleading voice, be firm in refusing their requests. This prevents them from developing the bad habit of lingering at the table or begging for food. More importantly, it avoids the habit of rummaging through trash cans when the owner is absent. This is a crucial aspect of dog training for maintaining household order.