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Before you get a dog -

First, take a look at your lifestyle and make sure it is suitable for you to have a dog. Whether you are fostering, adopting, or getting a puppy, getting a dog should not be done on impulse.

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The sad truth -

Six out of 10 dogs that are rescued every week are returned because the owners have not considered what it actually means to have a dog. Consider what size you want and the kind of breed. Do not just get the dog because it looks cute or because you think it needs you.

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Walk around -

Before you bring your dog home, take a walk around the block. It is important for them to see where they are going to live. It will also tire them out a bit.

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Take them home - When your pup is tired, take them into the house and show them where they will sleep. At first, every room in your house should be off-limits. The more trained they are, the more privileges they receive.

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Exercise - If your dog is not a little worn out, then its energy will destroy any attempts you make to train it. Do some research into how much exercise your breed needs and make sure you fulfill it. Proper walks will also keep your dog healthy.

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The way you walk - The way you walk with your dog influences your overall relationship. Make sure that your dog walks beside you, not in front of you. Teach your dog to stop when you stop and to stay in the same area as you when off the leash.

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Plan - The only way to teach a dog is to make a plan you can stick to. Canines thrive on order, and so they will be happier if they can expect the same each day. This means consistent training times, outdoor times, and bedtimes.

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Control - You do not need to be a tyrant about the house, but your dog needs to know that you are in charge. Do not forget that they are pack animals and feel more comfortable when there is a clear social hierarchy.

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Education -

In order to gain your dog’s respect and obedience, you must be clear and confident. Knowing what you want to do is key to this, so you must educate yourself and set out a training schedule before you begin.

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Patience - It is not always as easy as it looks on Cesar Millan’s shows. Training a dog can be like raising a child–it takes wild amounts of patience, but you have to stick with it.  When you start losing it, take a moment out. Otherwise your dog will feel your anxiety and try to assert itself.

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Not human! - Dogs are dogs. If you regard your doggie as a human, it will regard you as a dog and thus always compete for the alpha role. They absolutely need love and affection, but treating them like a human confuses the household dynamic and may lead to aggressive behavior.

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Boundaries - In order to keep a good relationship with your dog, boundaries are key so you don’t both get angry. You need to be clear about what is okay, and what is not. Try and focus on one lesson at a time, because it's easier for both of you.

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Consistency - It is unfair to be inconsistent with dogs. If you let kids have a sweet, they understand it might be a special day. But dogs don’t. When they expect the same treatment, you might get angry. The inconsistency just messes the learning process up, so don’t do it.

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Coordination - If you live with other people, they must be part of the training as well. It is not enough for only one person to enforce rules. Everyone must have the same standard for your training to be effective.

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Place - When you want to teach a dog new tricks, you need to establish their ‘place.’ The first thing to do is set up a good training ground that is quiet, not too stimulating, and has a table so that you can connect with your dog on a higher level.

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Senses - It is important to bear in mind that dogs learn differently from humans. They learn through their nose first, then their eyes, and then their ears.

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Stimulator - Every dog is different, so you need to figure out what drives your doggie. The three options are food, toys, or just your love. Once you figure this out, you will be able to reward them in the best way.

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Food - If the motivator is food, the most common dog driver, then you must keep it sealed. If possible, get a container that has a lid, and a little hole that you can open. This way you can choose when they smell it, but they still cannot access it.

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Smell - Near the table, let the dog smell your food by opening the hole and putting it on the floor. Then open the lid and pick up the food. The scent of the food will spread in the area, making the dog give you its attention.

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The table - Get your dog to jump on the table (or another object with some height to it). When they are on it, feed them a little treat so they know that if they stay in that area they will be rewarded.

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Train - Lead the dog off the platform, and then lead them on again and reward them with their chosen stimulator. Repeat this a few times so that it becomes ingrained in their minds.

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Walk around - Walk around the point of reference and reward them for staying there. If they jump off, get them to go back on and reward them for doing so. Always reward things when they do them right.

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Keep on going - It is going to be challenging and it will take time, but once you have established the reference area, everything becomes a lot easier. Start asking the dog to wait, and then asking it to sit. Reward them when they do it right. It is all about repetition and patience.

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In sit -

Once your pup is sitting, it is time to teach one of the most important tricks. Get your leash, and hold it in front of them. Then hold some food in front of the dog as you slowly put the leash on, as if it were a gold medal. You want the dog to feel calm and connected, not trapped.

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The leash - You can use this method with any kind of leash or harness. Keep on doing the trick until they are sitting and waiting for you to put the leash on them.

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Future training - Whenever you want to teach new things to your dog, such as lying down, stay, even jumping through a hoop, try and use this same method. If possible, use the same area so the dog can make a long-term association between learning, fun, rewards, and the reference point.

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Record - As you go, record all the rules you have set and the things you have taught them. Any opportunity you get, practice the tricks. Also, on a blackboard, write down the rules the whole household should follow to try and keep consistency.

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Give it a go -

Despite the widely-held belief that old dogs cannot learn new tricks, this is wrong. Canines can always learn, and it is never too late. The sooner you start, the quicker your dog will be trained. So give it a go!

Sources: (Cesar's Way) (Top Dog Tips)

See also: Secret ways dogs communicate with their owners

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