Things You'll Need:
- A professional dog trainer or a class to attend
- A collar and leash
- Treats
- Your dog’s current and up-to-date vaccination records
- A clicker
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Step 1
Set your goals and determine the needs of you and your dog. This will help focus in on the type of training you want.
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Step 2
Do your research and find a trainer that suits your needs. Some great options follow.
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Step 3
Call or email the trainer and set up a consultation to discuss your dog’s training needs. Look to the trainer for advice on the program or class that suits you and your dog best. Some dogs (and owners) may prefer or benefit from private lessons, especially those with established behavioral problems or dogs that have been rescued. Others will find great results from group settings, where dogs learn how to socialize in all environments and play well with others.
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Step 4
Go to class. It's a good idea to tire your dog out first with a long walk or a hike. With other dogs and humans around, there can be a lot of distractions, so the more focused your dog is, the more you'll both get out of the training session. It is also a good idea not to feed Fido prior to training. As most training today is treat-oriented, with positive reinforcement, your dog will be more eager and motivated to do what is expected of him if he's hungry.
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Step 5
Do your homework! Professional training once a week is not enough to properly train your dog. Set aside time every day to work with your dog at home or out, remind them of their boundaries and what is expected of them. Dogs have short attention spans, so even 15 minutes every morning and evening will do wonders! Remember that it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. As those who have watched Cesar Milan on The Dog Whisperer know, a well-behaved, happy dog starts with a well-trained owner who knows how to lead.
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Step 1
Keep in mind that training never ends. Even once your dog is behaving as you'd like him or her to, it is vital that you keep up with the training in order to maintain the respect and boundaries you've worked so hard to achieve.
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Step 2
Consider a class that is taught outside in public places. Being able to command your dog's attention and have them obey you in all types of real-life scenarios will be crucial to a peaceful mutual existence. For training practice, the retail and restaurant district along South Congress is a great location. Almost all of the stores and patios are dog-friendly and used to having pups around, so you'll be in good company.
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Step 3
Always bring along treats to reinforce good behavior. And if you are "clicker training," keep one on hand to capture good behavior. The idea behind clicker training is that the dog begins to associate the sound with a treat. They learn that what they just did should be repeated in order to get a treat.
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Step 4
Find the right lead or leash. If you are working on training your dog to stay with you along the hike or bike trails, you'll find a lot of people in Austin using long dropped leads (around 30 feet), so that if Fido wanders too far, you can step on the leash and reel him in. You can also use a "quick hitch" leash that allows you to strap the leash around your waste and keep both of your hands free. This is particular good when running, walking, browsing through a store, or training your dog to "heel."If your dog has trouble staying focused or pulls, consider getting a harnesses or gentle leader that straps around the dogs shoulders or nose, to give you better control. After awhile, the jerking of the neck from a standard collar won't have any effect on a stubborn dog. While at the dog park, play interactive games with your dog like hide-and-seek. It teaches them to always look for you and know where you are, so they won't wander too far.
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Step 5
Sign up for newsletters and tips from local resources, like Austin Dog Rescue, which hosts a number of events and fund raisers every month. You and your best pal can attend these events, meet other Austin dog owners, and share training woos and woes. Some of the best training advice you can get is from other dog owners who have experienced similar obstacles or challenges.
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Step 6
Ask around. If you see a particularly well-behaved dog at the park or just out in general, talk to its owner. Find out who they used for training, or how they went about training. Austin is a very friendly city and is serious about dogs, so you'll find that most dog owners will gush for hours about anything dog-related. Remember that different breeds respond differently to all kinds of training, so just because it worked for someone else, doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you. But, it's worth exploring and with dogs, nothing succeeds better than repetition.
