Training your new terrier pup: the basics
It is essential to have a dog that knows how to follow commands and how to behave around other dogs and people. Obedience training is essential.
Many people are under the impression that training a dog is hard work. Hard work for who, you may ask? The owner or the dog? Dog training requires a lot of patience and concentration from your dog. Dogs are intelligent but they are also pack animals, who respond to authority and a hierarchical system. Lets go over some of the basic ideas and methods that come into play when training your terrier.
This mixed breed dog has a harness on, the dog is being trained to walk correctly on a lead.
Photo credit morgeFile.
What is the difference between a submissive dog and a dominant dog?
A submissive will dog normally:
• avoid eye contact.
• roll on it's back, exposing it's belly.
• crouch down, ears back and tail lowered.
• is comfortable on it's back in your arms.
On the other hand, a dominant dog:
• maintains eye contact.
• is unwilling to move from his place on the couch.
• may dislike grooming and petting.
• is possessive of objects, spaces and sometimes people.
Training your terrier requires consistency and for you to maintain an air of authority. You are establishing who is in charge. Terriers, like most dogs, respond actively to praise and to food rewards. Positive reinforcement is the popular way of obedience training dogs.
Many dog training schools have classes specifically for puppies. Young dogs are taught to tolerate and become accustomed to other dogs and people. However, some dog training centers do not conduct formal obedience training unless the dog is at least half a year old. But a large, exuberant six month old, untrained, can be a danger and a nuisance, so seek out a center that has puppy training available as it's never too early to make a start on training your terrier.
These are the generally recommended ways of training terriers: (And most other dogs.)
1. Repetition
Just like a young child, repetition is the name of the game. Dogs are asked to do a task over and over again to master it. Rewards of praise or food treats are given to encourage the dogs engagement in getting the task right.
2. Persistence
Dog training requires a lot of persistence from the owner. Yes, it might be cold on Saturday morning and you'd rather sleep in, but obedience training your puppy is one of the most important things you can do for him or her. Stick with it!
3. Correction
The dog needs to learn that there will be consequences (an angry voice, "no!", no pats) for any mis-deeds.
4. Rewards
There are many small, irresistibly tasty treats that can be used as food rewards for dogs. The ultimate aim is to get your dog doing what is required of it without treats, they (and you) will learn how to achieve this by training your dog well.
Terriers are exuberant, energetic and clever dogs and they can make fabulous family pets, but if they are poorly trained, they can be destructive, aggressive and possessive, which is a problematic for you, your family and anyone the dog comes in contact with.
You don't want to have to put this sign up on your front gate....unless it's to discourage people, of course!
Photo credit mourgeFile
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