There are plenty of excellent resources regarding dog training that can help build your knowledge. For instance, training schools, like the Karen Pryor Academy, offer a variety of dog training courses and webinars, both in-person and online. Just be sure to look at the credentials of whoever is offering the course to be sure their teachings are scientifically sound. TheCertification Council for Professional Dog Trainersmaintains a list ofresourcesthat can help you start your search.

Dog obedience training is generally around $50 per session, but might be higher depending on your geographical location and trainer. There are many things you can try to train your dog before you get to that point. Dick says to be wary of any trainer who uses e-collars on every dog. “That is cookie cutter, and it’s never going to garner very good results,” she says. “You want someone who is getting to know you, your relationship, your lifestyle with your dog.” “That might be a breed of dog that was selected for hundreds of years to defend against people walking in your front door,” says Brophey. Since you can’t train away a German shepherd’s genetic impulse to defend its territory, you may need to change your expectations, instead.

Your main job as a trainer will be to teach your clients how to do the training for themselves. Even if you prefer pets to people, you need the ability to motivate your clients, shape their abilities, and reinforce their successes. A proper dog training program is the cornerstone of good behavior in dogs. It has often been said that there are no bad dogs, only uneducated owners. Most dogs thrive with boundaries and predictable routines. Without obedience training, they simply do not know how to behave.

What are the benefits of training my dog?

The thing we add is typically something the dog likes or wants, like a treat or a belly rub. If the behavior doesn’t happen consistently over a period of time, positive reinforcement has not been achieved. Compared with other methods, positive reinforcement strengthens behavior, builds trusting relationships between pet parents and their animal companions, and protects the behavioral health of pets. When you’re teaching your dog something new, remember that they have the attention span and intelligence of a two-year-old. Focus on one task or behavior so that they do not become confused. Balanced trainers use positive reinforcement methods, but are also more willing to incorporate corrections, like e-collars, into their training.

Wrapping up dog training benefits

You can provide services from basic obedience training to specialized training . The field of dog training is ever-evolving, so it’s important to stay on top of the latest research and techniques to ensure you become the best dog trainer you can possibly be.

Read more about Dog Behavior here.

You should not praise/reward your dog prior to the moment when he/she performed the task, as well as not later than 5 seconds after that moment. Otherwise, your canine may be unable to make the connection between the proper action and the reward. Also, as already mentioned above, the reward needs to match the task’s difficulty.