Dressage still helps teach desired behaviors, such as doing the needs in the right place, not barking when visitors arrive, walking by your side during walks and many others.

Want to know how to do it? Read on!

When does the dog need training?

The first step is to understand that some dogs and some breeds have more agitated personalities than others and this is not always undesirable or even correctable.

A very active dog like the Golden Retriever will become agitated and irritable if it spends the whole day in a small space, for example. In that case, more than training, you need to adjust the routine so that he can take longer walks, runs and games to spend all that energy.

You can train your dog when he exhibits behaviors that are dangerous, uncomfortable or that disrupt life at home, such as:

  • When he starts and jerks during walks
  • When He Jumps On The Couch Or Bed And You Don't Want That To Happen
  • When you pee in the wrong place
  • If he barks, jumps or gets aggressive with unfamiliar people

Among other examples. Training will help to channel the energy used for deviant behaviors to more desired ones, such as walks, games and other healthy tricks.

What is the right age to start training a dog?

Although there is no set age to start training your dog, know that the sooner the better. Just like babies and children, puppies have greater brain plasticity in this early stage of life and, therefore, are able to learn more quickly.

Some experts recommend starting at the 7th or 8th week of life , when the puppy has its primary socialization window.

After that, the ideal thing is to do the training until the age of 2. Dogs, however, are quite intelligent and can learn commands even in adult life. But, at this stage, you will need to have more dedication and patience, as learning can be slower.

How to train a dog at home?

There are several ways to train your dog and the most recommended by experts is the one that uses the Positive Methodology . This means not using punishments to teach the dog, but positive reinforcements.

To explain this issue, we need to go back in history a little bit.

Teaching is not mistreating!

For many years – since the 19th century, more precisely – it was understood that dogs should be taught based on strength, so that human beings could demarcate their dominant position. Punishments could be anything that generates a negative consequence for the dog, such as fear and pain.

  • Rubbing the dog's nose in the pee to show that it is not the right place
  • Hitting, kicking or other forms of physical assault
  • Cursing and screaming aggressively, among other customs.

What is positive training?

Positive Training, on the other hand, understands that dogs will be able to learn much better and without suffering if they create a positive bond with their tutors. This attachment will motivate the dog to always want to please the owner and, in return, be rewarded for it.

In order for you to train dogs at home using this model, you must:

  • Ignore unwanted behavior as it happens (except when there is a risk to the physical integrity of the pet or someone else, of course) or speak in a firm voice, but without aggressiveness to show that the situation is not correct.
  • At another time, when your pet is calm, you teach the desired behaviors. Speak commands loud and clear . The basic commands are “sit”, “stay”, “come” and “down”.
  • Whenever he repeats this good behavior, you reward him with caresses, praise, games or even snacks (be careful not to offer too much, as this can lead to overweight).

Training a dog at home requires patience and frequency. Repeat the teachings every day until he learns the commands.

What commands to teach?

The tricks to teach the dog should always be based on the safety and physical well-being of him, people and other pets around. In addition, you can also teach commands that prevent natural dog behaviors that you don't want at home, such as climbing on the couch, eating your shoes, barking too much and others.

For example, if you go for a walk every day with your dog, teaching the commands “stay”, “sit” and “come” can be very useful to prevent him from crossing the street at the wrong time, that he runs away or stay away from you.

Of course, you can also teach fun tricks like pawing, rolling and catching the ball. This will be great for strengthening your bond with the pet.

How to train a dog to go to the toilet in the right place

An example of behavior that makes many people want to do the training is teaching the dog to eliminate in the correct place at home.

  • Separate a corner of the house to be the dog's "bathroom". Place the diaper, newspaper or object where you want him to eliminate.
  • This location should be far from where he eats and sleeps.
  • At the beginning, try to limit the space where he transits, so that he is close to the bathroom.
  • You can use health educator products, which serve to attract the dog to the place by scent.
  • Use positive reinforcement! Every time he hits the spot, you reward him.