How to effectively practice cues with your dog.

You sat through an training class, learned the cue or command and are sent home to practice. Learn how to effectively practice these new skills at home with your dog.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Yummy soft treats
• A clicker (if you used one in class)
• A quiet, calm area indoors
• A quiet, calm area outdoors
• A loud distracting area indoors or outdoors

1. Your practice sessions should only be 5-10 minutes per day. A dog does not have a long attention span and will start getting bored quickly.
2. Once you have decided it's time for a practice session and what you want to work on, get all of your supplies together. Treats, clicker (if using one), leash (if you are going to be outdoors), and of course, the dog.
3. Start in an easy location such as a quiet, calm spot in your home. Remember to treat and/or praise your dog each time they are successful. Do not punish your dog for failure to do the cue correctly. They are just learning. Simply turning your back or saying no in a calm voice will help them to understand.
4. Always end your training sessions with a really easy cue, such as "watch me". A cue you know your dog knows without a doubt. Also a couple of treats and lots of praise at the end will keep them interested in coming back for more.
5. Start adding in distractions. Once your dog can perform the cue "with their eyes closed and their hands tied behind their back", it is time to challenge them a bit more. Adding in distractions will help to proof the cue and keep your dog able to perform the cue no matter what is going on around them.
6. The best distraction can be a new location. Outside in your backyard is a good middle ground. It is comfortable due to your dog knowing every inch of it, but it also has distractions such as nosies, smells, animals running around, etc. Practice in this location the same way you would have inside the house.
7. Once you dog has mastered the backyard move to a higher distracting place. A nearby park, a pet store, etc. Don't forget your leash and the yummiest treats in the world. Practice in this location as you would have in each other location.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice with your dog before their meal times. A hungry dog is more likely to pay attention to you than a dog full from dinner.
• Save your training treats for only training sessions. This will keep your dog interested.
• Practice in many different locations.
• If your dog is getting distracted easily or is totally ignoring you, you may have gone too long in your practice session. Ask your dog to perform a very easy behavior and then stop the session.
• Do not move on to the distractions until your dog has mastered the cue in a non distracting environment.