Did you know that February is Dog Training Education Month? This is a great time to spread awareness about the importance of proper training! Making sure that Fido obeys basic commands will help keep both you and your pet safer, and will definitely make things much easier for you. Here, a Frisco, TX vet discusses training your canine pal.

Benefits of Training

Training isn’t just about teaching Fido to Sit on command. Making sure your dog obeys important commands like Stay and Come can keep your furry pal from approaching dangerous areas or animals, and can even save his life! You’ll also enjoy your pooch more if he is polite and well-behaved. This makes good training a win-win for both of you!

Basics

First things first: start by teaching Fido the most important commands, which are Sit, Stay, Heel, Come, and Lay Down. Leave It is also helpful. Teach your canine companion one thing at a time, and make sure that your four-legged buddy has mastered a command before moving on to the next one.

Tactics

There are many different schools of thought when it comes to dog training. We strongly recommend avoiding any methods that rely on negative reinforcement, such as shock collars. Dogs don’t understand punishment, so your furry student may not even connect the punishment with his behavior. Instead, keep Fido motivated by rewarding him with treats, praise, and attention for doing well. You may want to use small snacks, like pieces of hot dogs or kibble: otherwise, you may inadvertently end up overfeeding your adorable pupil!

School Sessions

Fido is very smart, but he has a pretty short attention span. If your furry friend’s classes are too long, he may get bored and become more interested in nearby squirrels than in his education. About 15-20 minutes a day is fine.

Mood

Never work with Fido when you are feeling grumpy, sad, or anxious. Dogs are extremely intuitive, and it won’t take your pup long to pick up your mood. This could leave Fido feeling uneasy about school. When you are down, just spend some quality time with your faithful pet. Tail wags and puppy kisses are great mood boosters! Do you have questions or concerns about your pup’s health or care? We can help! Please feel free to contact us, your Frisco, TX pet hospital, for all your dog’s veterinary care needs.