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Trained dog. Dog training

Raising a dog, behavior correction
Raising a puppy, educational training
Maps, diagrams and training programs

Our advantages

We have a clear, well-developed training program, outlined step by step. We can always explain to you why we do certain exercises and how necessary they are. Training is moving step by step from what your dog knows and can do to what you want from it. You will understand when and what task we set for the dog, what the meaning of this task is and how we help the dog solve it.
We are open, we do not hide teaching methods and schemes. A significant part of the information that is presented by the dog handler during classes is conveniently forgotten by the client. A person concentrates his attention on what seems important to him and, as a result, loses what is really important. Having ready-made training notes allows our clients to always refresh their memory of what they studied in class yesterday or several years ago, this dramatically increases the effectiveness of your training.
You can complete a full course of training with us, or you can train your dog according to our program, contacting us for advice when you need it. Please note that it is very important to start training your dog correctly. The journey begins with the first step. Errors in the first stages of learning are more difficult to correct. For better independent use of any educational materials It's always a good idea to take a few orientation classes with an instructor.
We do not try to stretch out your dog's training. long years to generate additional income. Your dog is smart enough to understand what you want from him if you have learned to work with him correctly. Using the example of teaching specific commands, we will explain to you general principles training. You can teach your dog other commands yourself and realize your own goals in training your dog.
If training your dog has become an exciting leisure activity for you and you want to continue training your dog, we can always offer you something interesting and feasible.

Work independently or with an instructor?

Whatever you do, the main thing is your desire and perseverance. Even if you hire the most expensive instructor, most of the work will fall on you, since you are the one who needs to build a relationship with your animal. The dog should obey you, not the dog handler.

But the work must be effective, and in this regard, an experienced dog handler will help you achieve the desired results in as soon as possible. If you want to get results and not throw money away, you need to work with the dog every day, for example, when you take the dog for a walk. You can work with a dog handler once a week to guide and correct your work with the animal.

How and where to train a dog?

Training can take place in a group on the site, or individually at home. In any case, it is important that as a result of the training the dog owner clearly knows:

How a specific command is processed. In what ways, and according to what scheme;
In addition, it is important to know the general principles of learning, because you cannot write instructions for all situations. Understanding general patterns helps make decisions in a particular case;
In addition, the help of an instructor is sometimes necessary for the development of motor skills and coordination of the trainer (dog owner) himself.

Group or individual lessons?

Group classes are cheaper than individual classes. However, both options have their positive and negative sides. By working individually, you can achieve from a dog desired result noticeably faster, since the dog trainer will use exactly those training techniques that are best suited to your dog. But the skills acquired in this way may be of little use if your dog becomes disobedient in the presence of other animals.

Therefore, it would be optimal to start with individual lessons, and then use group classes so that the dog learns to fulfill the owner’s requirements in different conditions.

A dog is a friend and protector

We may not always feel safe in modern world. Even if we ourselves can be confident in ourselves, there is always concern for our loved ones: wives, children. Many dogs have innate protective and protective qualities. But innate instinct alone is not enough. The dog must be raised so that it not only is not afraid of the perceived enemy, but also unquestioningly obeys the commands of the owner after the danger has passed. A dog should not become an uncontrollable killer while carrying out his duties. protective functions. After all, this may result in liability before the law.

Working with a professional dog handler will allow you to get the desired result in the shortest possible time.

How to develop protective qualities in a dog?

Unfortunately, dogs that can fight back against an attacker are sometimes adopted by people who are unable to raise them on their own. Such a dog needs an owner who, using the dog as a bodyguard, will nevertheless be able to maintain control over it.

This control is achieved either by the strong character of the owner, or by competent education of the dog, or both. It is important to understand that education and training are not the same thing. A dog that is not properly trained can sometimes not be trained as a guard dog.

How to get the perfect dog?

When we decide to foster a puppy, we want to get the dog of our dreams. However, a dog is not a plasticine toy. Growing up, the dog becomes independent, pursuing its own interests, competing with humans and other dogs. Among people, holy prophets and great humanists are only rarely found. Likewise, among dogs there are sometimes heroes about whom books are written and films are made. You can effectively raise and train a dog only by acting in accordance with the laws of nature, without conflicting with them. An ordinary dog is far from ideal. The owner can make it close to ideal. On the one hand, educate her in accordance with your needs, on the other, understand and accept in her what cannot be altered.

Why train a smart dog?

A human child raised outside of human society will behave like an animal. In the same way, a dog without education and training behaves as it wants, regardless of the interests of the person. Sometimes you come across dogs that have not been raised or trained, and yet they are close to ideal. But this is the exception rather than the rule and you shouldn’t hope for it. Training, started on time and becoming habitual for the dog owner, is not a burdensome task at all. Training is interesting in itself and is also beneficial for your dog. It is always better to develop the dog's capabilities than to deal with problems in its behavior when the situation is already out of your control.

Training is work or rest?

Very often, even in good, correct books they write that you need to work with a dog in short sessions of a few minutes. In conditions where a person learns how to train himself and at the same time trains his dog, this is simply ridiculous. The trainer himself did not really understand anything, or understood it theoretically. Doesn't know how to do it in practice, or knows, but lacks motor skills. While I was working on it myself, I managed to instill in the dog the wrong information, but all the time had already expired, the session was over. Next, the trainer has work, family, hobbies, friends, unforeseen circumstances, and then on Sunday it’s time to go to the playground to gain new knowledge. As a result, after a couple of lessons, my head is a mess and I can’t teach the dog anything. And for a good result with a dog you need to work, work and work again. But work correctly, understanding what and why you are doing.

Dog's personality or trainer's mistakes

American scientists who studied the formation of the behavior of white rats in their laboratories believed that they were discovering universal laws of learning suitable for training everyone, from people to mollusks. Existentialists and humanists believe that each individual is a microcosm with its own laws. The debate is as old as time as to what is more important: innate or acquired. Genetics or environment. Individual characteristics or learning technologies. Everyone finds their own golden mean between these two extreme points of view.

It is important that recognition of the uniqueness of your dog and the specifics of the breed does not lead to the verdict that this dog is still unteachable and therefore it is useless to work with it. There are dogs that are poorly trained and there are reasons for this. Read about this on our corporate blog on the topic. However, it is often easier for an owner to decide that a breed is poorly trained than that it is violating universal training rules. After all, the first relieves him of responsibility, and the second encourages him to act. Let's figure it out together. Where are the limits of your dog’s capabilities, and where is a small mistake by the trainer that leads in the wrong direction.

Puppies are cute creatures, but in addition to showing affection, tenderness and love, they also need proper upbringing and competent training.

We'll talk about how to teach your dog commands at home below.

Age to start training. The puppy is raised and accustomed to the rules of behavior in the house from the first moment it arrives in the home. The actual training begins at three months, following the recommended training order.

Some owners think that their dog does not need to be trained unless they attend shows or participate in competitions.

This is a misconception. Training is needed, first of all, in order to discipline the dog and subsequently not experience problems with the pet’s behavior during a walk.

How to train an adult dog at home? If the moment is missed - the dog has matured, but does not follow the basic set of commands, classes should also be organized taking into account the pet’s level of development.

Remember Any breed of dog can be trained, regardless of age. Yes, it will take longer to train an adult pet. Before you start training your pet unlearn old habits.

Here basic rules to follow.

The entire training course is divided into stages.
The pet must be encouraged.
The owner shows strength of character during training, under no circumstances resorting to aggressive behavior!
The owner understands the pet’s character and finds an individual approach to it.

One lesson with a pet lasts no longer than an hour.

It is better to divide the allotted time into intervals with short breaks. They gave a command - the dog complied - let him run and get distracted. In one lesson, the pet performs all the necessary commands.

Preparing for training

Necessary items. At the first lesson, the owner will need a collar, leash and treats.

Choosing a training location. A deserted area that is already familiar to the dog is a good place for training. During training, the owner remains alone with the pet so that there are no distractions. If the owner has chosen an unfamiliar place, the pet must first sniff the surrounding area thoroughly to make sure there is no danger.

Choice of treats. Be sure to stock up on your pet's favorite treat. The opportunity to receive a treat motivates your pet to obey and follow commands well. They take dry food with them, it is comfortable to carry and does not stain clothes. If your pet is not interested in food as a treat, you can purchase special dog biscuits at the store.

If you don't have store-bought treats, you can make your own cookies.

Time for training select according to their plans. It is not recommended to conduct classes in the middle of the day in the summer. But, if this is the only free period of time the owner has, he must stock up on water. Before starting the class, it is advised to give your pet a good walk and run several laps around the stadium with him.

Homeschooling

The commands that form the basis of the training course include the following:

"To me" They learn first of all together with the skill of responding to a nickname. The pet is called using its nickname, tempted with a treat and praised after completing the command;
"Ugh"– an important command that stops the dog from doing the wrong thing;
"Near". Skill is necessary for the pet to walk next to the owner’s feet;
"Sit"– a common command, the basis for other skills;
"Lie". This skill is learned only after successfully learning the “sit” command;
"Stand". The command is used frequently, but is a little more difficult to teach than the “down” command;
"Give"– effectively prevents the dog from picking up any nasty things from the ground. This is important in the realities of our country, where dog hunters act with impunity, scattering deadly baits;
"Aport." At this command, the pet brings the object thrown by the owner;
"Walk"– used to change activities;
"Place"– a command important for the pet to learn its place in the house;
"Face"– a defensive skill that is taught only after mastering all previous commands.

In addition to this list, small dogs are taught the commands “fu” and “near” and their endurance is developed.

The development of self-control constantly accompanies the education process.

This is one of the main skills, because The dog must be able to control emotions to follow the owner's orders and obey. Read on to learn how to train a dog at home.

Features of training

How to train small dogs? Pets small breeds, it is easier to train, because for them a full set of service commands is not mandatory. They love to run around headlong, so First of all, you should master the “come to me” command. The command will prevent the pet from escaping over a long distance.

Tiny pets, for example, are especially loved, which allows them to behave incorrectly, for example, running on beds and clean sheets. For this reason, the next required skill will be execution of the "place" command.

Hunting dog training. Training with hunting dogs has its own specifics. The owner will have to suppress some of the pet's character traits. He must carefully raise and conscientiously train the dog. At the age of six to nine months, a hunting dog is taught the basics, and from ten months they begin to master special commands.

If the dog doesn't listen. There are situations when a pet does not want to obey and start training, not responding to the owner’s demands and even refusing treats. In this case, the owner should either pat the pet by the scruff of the neck, or sternly pull the collar.

The dog must understand that the owner is the leader. This is not always easy with breeds as serious as or

Do not forget that aggression towards a pet is contraindicated.

Perseverance, consistency and following correct recommendations will help the owner teach the dog all the necessary commands. If you invest a lot of time, attention and love into your pet and go through a general training course with him, you can get the perfect four-legged friend, which is properly raised and devoted to the owner to the tip of the tail.

Additionally, we suggest you watch a video on how to properly train a dog at home:

A dog, regardless of its breed and size, needs education and training, that is, training. For serious breeds ( German Shepherd, Alabai, Rottweiler or Boerboel) training is mandatory, otherwise the dogs will be socially dangerous and uncontrollable, which can lead to negative consequences. Also, ornamental animals must be trained in simple canine literacy, so as not to be a burden for their owners and others.

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Necessary conditions for effective learning

Not only the result of the training is important, but also the process during which the relationship between the owner and the pet should strengthen, become more trusting and friendly. Therefore, you should pay attention to the following points:

It is necessary to start the simplest training from scratch and at home during a game that brings pleasure, then the necessary commands are easier to assimilate and reinforce.
Dogs are individual: what one could easily master, another may not be able to do right away. You shouldn’t compare animals and be disappointed and make a conclusion about your pet’s intelligence based on one moment in training.
Train the animal when it comes from a walk in good mood. Against the background of positive emotions, with rewards in the form of treats, dogs achieve the desired results faster. Harsh treatment and physical punishment will not instill trust and obedience.
Practicing commands should continue unobtrusively in everyday life.
The correct actions of the dog should be rewarded with treats.

To make the puppy more willing to try to get food as a reward, it is recommended to carry out all training before feeding.

Raising and training a puppy

Education precedes and accompanies training and has no age restrictions. You can train and train a dog at home, both 2-month old and adult. At almost any age, the animal is quite trainable.

But the most effective way to start raising a pet is in childhood. As soon as the puppy begins to move independently around the house, the need for certain rules of behavior arises along the way. Like training, educational moments should be carried out from the very beginning with the help of rewards, not punishments.

It is recommended to start classes at home. This area has already been explored by the puppy several times and is familiar to him, so there will be no distractions in the form of new smells or unfamiliar animals. When the skills are consolidated, you can continue training on the site and complicate the task.

Key points in parenting and common mistakes

Dogs (even domestic ones) are pack animals and they obey the laws of life in a pack, they think in categories that are often incomprehensible to the owner. Due to human misunderstanding, confusion arises in the dog’s mind, which results in the animal’s incorrect behavior, causing both people and the dog to suffer.

Absolute submission to a person in everyday situations

Correct pet behavior consists of the following:

Never allow your pet to be present when people eat, and do not feed the dog from the table.
Do not allow someone to sleep in a person’s bed or occupy their chair.
Do not play games of tug of war or rag toys.

In a flock, dominant individuals always eat first and eat the best. The rest are waiting to be allowed to eat what is left. This principle is not a humiliation for the animal, but a simple rule to which everyone obeys. This maintains order in the pack. Leaders choose their own rookery; no one dares to encroach on it. No one takes away anything that belongs to the leader. This is perceived as a riot and is strictly suppressed.

Mistakes in training:

Begging a dog while the owner is eating is bad not only because it bothers people. It damages the psychology of the animal, which gets what it wants on demand. In the mind of the pet, this means that the main thing is not the owner, but the dog.
Permission to sleep on the bed or permission to take away a toy produces a similar result.

Choosing a solution when performing various actions

A puppy, like an adult dog, does not have the right to make decisions and act according to its own will: bark, howl, show aggression towards animals or people, leave the owner, etc. All decisions in the pack are made by the leader (owner). Subordinates must obey; disobedience is unacceptable. The exception is rare cases when the dog is trained to act quickly in extreme situations, without waiting for a human command (training Newfoundlands to save drowning people, etc.).

A dog that behaves according to its preferences is always a burden to others: it barks and howls when it wants, threatens to attack or runs away. The owner should take a dominant position and not allow the pet to encroach on power in any situations.

Position of dog and owner when moving

When moving, a person dominates, because only he has the privilege of being the first to enter the door, the first to greet guests, the first to leave the house.

This is also confirmed by observations of the life of school animals. Only the leader has the right to be in front of the pack. He will not give up his place to anyone, because he is responsible for what may happen.

If a person follows a dog, it automatically takes responsibility for everything that happens (including the person). Therefore, she herself has to make decisions and act according to her choice.

Successful training of a dog depends entirely on the owner, he must understand dog psychology and use it in training. If you ignore the pack instincts of a dog, it is very easy to create a nervous animal with a spoiled character and a disturbed psyche, since the dog cannot bear the share of responsibility that is transferred to it by an unreasonable or careless owner.

Dogs, like other animals, have a genetic program of instincts that when correct use practically does not fail. The owner can upset the program by attributing to four-legged human feelings and desires that animals actually don’t have.

Basic commands

For a small puppy (2-3 months), which was recently brought into the house, the first commands learned will be standard phrases. In parallel with the beginning of training, the puppy must get used to the collar and leash. At an older age, about 5-6 months, dogs large breeds They are taught to react calmly to the muzzle.

The basis for a pet’s successful assimilation of commands is the development of the ability to obey a person. Teams are assigned in stages.

Nickname

In order for a dog to learn to respond to its name (nickname), it is necessary:

When feeding, when petting, caressing, call the dog's name. The voice should be smooth and pleasant. Your pet will associate this word with pleasant actions.
You cannot call a dog by name when you need to scold it in a stern voice. At the same time, it is necessary to accustom the dog to the collar.

"To me!"

What needs to be done for the dog to learn the “come to me” command:

When the owner calls the pet to feed it, it is necessary to pronounce the command. The puppy came up, you need to reward it with a treat.
When the command has been learned at home, you should continue to reinforce it under more difficult circumstances - on the street, where there are many distractions.
If the puppy does not respond to the command, do not insist and shout at the pet. In such cases, you need to continue training again at home and persistently consolidate the result with the help of treats.

If the pet disobeys and persistently repeats the words of the command, there will be a cause-and-effect relationship between his behavior and the command: “come to me” will mean for him “do what you want.” Frequent repetition of words will become ingrained in the dog's mind and its behavior. In cases where the words “to me” are already incorrectly fixed, the phrase must be replaced with another, synonymous one, for example: “here”, “on”. For a pet, it makes no difference which word is pronounced. It is important for him that this word promises a treat.

"Place!"

At first, this means that the puppy must go to its bedding, its resting place. When the owner calls the puppy by name to the place reserved for him, he should put a treat on the bedding and praise the dog. This can be done several times during the day. When the puppy has mastered the command well, it should be complicated: the pet must remain in place until he is allowed to leave. If the puppy stays in one place, he will receive a reward in the form of a tasty piece.

If mastery is successful, you need to achieve a result in which any place indicated by the owner becomes the place where the dog should sit and wait for the owner or permission to leave. Move to more difficult stage learning is possible only when the previous one is perfectly mastered.

"Near!"

Even a 3-month-old puppy can be taught to walk next to you and not break the leash, if you do everything correctly:

This command is practiced with certain tools. They are a collar and a leash.
The dog is required to simply walk alongside, and not rush to the side with all its might and not create discomfort for the owner and everyone around him. The animal should walk calmly next to the owner's left leg, half a length behind, with the leash hanging freely without the slightest tension. To practice this command, you will need to wear a ring or a Controller leash over or instead of a regular collar. It is a thick cord with an adjustable clip for tight fastening around the pet's neck. The “controller” is attached above an ordinary collar, below the ears, where the dog’s sensitive points are located.
You need to make sure that the dog does not get ahead of the person, but is slightly behind. When pulling the leash forward or to the side, make a sharp and short jerk upward.
If the dog is walking calmly and correctly, you need to say “near” and reward with a treat. A sharp jerk with the leash when behaving incorrectly will create discomfort for the dog, and after several similar actions he will understand that after pulling the leash, there will be consequences. discomfort, and with calm movement there will be a reward in the form of a treat.

A common mistake owners make is misuse commands: when the dog pulls on the leash, he hears the word “near!”, which the animal associates with its behavior. Therefore, this command (in the dog's understanding) means pulling on the leash.

“Ugh”, “no!”, “impossible!”

When trying to pick up food from the ground or perform some other action that should be stopped, the command “no!” is given. You can use something else a short word, which is pronounced in a confident and stern tone. When teaching this command, clicking with a clicker (a special keychain with a clicking button) or with your fingers works well; this distracts the dog from its intention to do something and attracts attention to the owner. If the dog is on a leash, then a sharp jerk of the leash up and the word “ugh!” will help. or not!"

Experienced dog handlers do not recommend beating a puppy or dog even with a twig or newspaper for disobedience. Punishment is contrasted with rewards with food and repeated practice of skills.

“Sit!”, “lie down!”

Options for sound signals for the command can be “sit!”, “lie down!” "For the dog to learn how to perform them, you should:

Offer the puppy a treat, to receive which he will have to lift his head up. At this time, the owner lightly presses the pet’s lower back and sits him down. If the dog sits down, it should be given a treat.
In order for the puppy to lie down from a sitting position on the command “lie down”, he again needs to be offered food, at some distance from his muzzle (it will be more convenient to reach it while lying down). The owner must help him lie down again and only then give him food as a reward.

After several training sessions, the dog will understand what needs to be done to get the reward and will act without human assistance. The animal must remain in a given position for several seconds, waiting for permission to take other actions. Later, you can work out these commands only using gestures, without voice.

"Stand!"

In order for a dog to learn to follow a command, it is necessary:

When pronouncing the word "stand!" From a sitting or lying position, lift the puppy under the belly and hold the collar with the other hand. The dog should rise in place, without moving forward. After this, the animal receives a treat.
For more perfect execution of the command, it is necessary to pause (starting from 3 seconds and increasing the pause time to 15) and reward the dog with a treat only after waiting a while.
When executed accurately, they move on to a more complicated form - issuing a command with a gesture. You should also gradually increase the distance between your pet and yourself (up to 10-15 m).

"Give!"

The command is very similar to the prohibition command “no!”, since it limits the dog in the desired action. To take away an item in which the puppy is interested, you should offer him something more attractive: favorite treat. You should not take away by force and at the same time pronounce the word of command. The dog itself must voluntarily give what the owner requires. The stimulus for this is your favorite food. At first, the puppy gives up the toy for food, and when the skill is reinforced through repeated repetition, the dog can be encouraged with words and affection.

"Aport!"

Practicing this difficult command also begins with the game:

1. First you need to practice the command “give!” so that the dog gives the brought object to the owner.
2. While playing with a stick or toy with the owner, the dog tries to take possession of the object. At the moment of the animal’s greatest interest, the owner throws the object of the game far away from himself and says “fetch!” The pet runs after the toy, tries to find it and take it.
3. The owner calls him and demands to carry out the command “give!”

If the dog does not run after the thrown object, the owner runs up to it with him and repeats the command word. With the slightest success in learning, the dog should receive a reward. But gradually the task should become more complicated, since only if the command is strictly followed the first time does the animal receive a reward.

Ideally, the dog should, on command, find the thrown object, bring it to the owner, run around behind it, approach the left leg, sit down and then give it back. Experienced trainers consider teaching this command difficult, because not every dog can learn to perform it perfectly.

"Voice!"

You should not immediately give the treat to your pet; it is better to show the food and hold it in front of the dog. She will start asking for her by barking. At this time, the owner repeats the command “voice!” Rewarding is mandatory after completion.

If the dog silently asks for a treat and does not give a voice, you can ask another family member to demonstrate in front of the animal what is required to receive a reward. Usually after 2-3 times the command becomes clear to the pet.

"Give me your paw!"

This command will come in handy when trimming nails and entertaining guests. The treat is given to the dog to sniff and held in a fist in front of its nose. The dog may start scratching his fist with his paw. At this time, they repeat the words of the command and give food to the animal.

"Fass!"

There is no need to practice this type of action in decorative dogs or in all others that do not belong to service dogs. Small breeds are more likely to show aggression towards strangers on their own initiative and without a request from the owner. The command is considered difficult and is usually practiced with an instructor or assistant, who must be dressed in a protective suit.

Algorithm for executing the “FAS!” command:

1. A stranger approaches the owner with the dog and delivers sensitive but not painful blows to the pet’s back.
2. When the dog gets angry, the stranger offers it some soft object to grab, something like old clothes.
3. When an animal grabs an object with its teeth, the owner pronounces the command “Face!” and encourages the dog.

In addition to these commands, you can teach your dog others: “walk!”, “forward!”, “barrier!”, “crawl!”, “guard!” (at the owner's discretion). But achieving perfect execution of a standard set of commands is not easy.

On-site classes with an instructor

This is the best solution for inexperienced owners or difficult-to-train breeds. When choosing an instructor, you should focus not only on the recommendations of several acquaintances or a club, but it would also be good to look at the work of this person directly on the site before contacting him.

Serious and proper training requires the presence of the owner along with the dog and the trainer. Staying a pet in foster care with a dog handler during training is possible if the dog is being prepared for patrol and search service in the police.

Training with a specialist is especially recommended for dogs of large breeds intended for security guard and search service. The dog owner himself will also need advice from an experienced dog handler, especially regarding his own behavior in raising the pet.

Features of training different breeds

Education and training different breeds has its own characteristics: for service dogs It is mandatory to complete a general and special training course (from 6-8 months) on the site with an instructor, for hunting breeds(from 1-3 months) there is a special set of commands with skills training in the forest or in the field; for decorative breeds (from 3-6 months) education at home is sufficient.

How to train dogs of different breeds:

Name of breeds	Features of training and education
Security guards: Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Alabai	With general education and training guard dogs They are taught special commands that are needed when protecting and patrolling the territory. These commands include: "Listen!". A wary dog should listen carefully to extraneous sounds. "Track!". The dog must take the trail and follow it. "Guard!" The dog is obliged to prevent strangers from entering its territory in the absence of a person. The skill is practiced together with an assistant who plays the role of a stranger and provokes the dog into defensive actions.
Hunting: spaniel, shorthaired pointer, terrier, Jack Russell terrier, husky, husky	For up to 6-8 months, the dog is trained and trained in standard commands. After six months, special training begins: training, which consists of driving hounds, training huskies, baiting minnows and greyhounds, and the ability to get an object out of the water and bring it to the owner. An important exercise For hunting dogs is excerpt. After executing the command, the animal does not immediately receive a reward in the form of a treat, but after a few seconds, and the owner moves away from the dog several meters during such an artificial pause. Also, hunting dogs are taught not to be afraid of shots and loud sounds.
Decorative: Spitz, pug, chihuahua, Japanese chin	In addition to basic commands, small dogs can be taught to know the names of all family members. This technique is developed simply: 1. The dog is brought to the person and his name is called, after which the person gives the dog a treat. 2. After a few exercises, the pet will remember which word is associated with which person, and will unmistakably go to the family member named by name to get a treat. You can also teach how to close the door on command, bring slippers, stand on hind legs, imitate the dance
Herding and herding: alabai, labrador	After mastering the basics of training, a grown-up puppy is taught to live with animals so that the herd is not afraid of dogs, and the dogs do not attack the herd. In teaching shepherd work, special commands are needed: "Drive!"(when being driven out of a paddock or moving forward in a pasture). "All around!"(when collecting stray animals). "Forward!"(to level the edge of the herd). "Quiet!"(slow down the pace of movement). The shepherd or trainer practices these exercises directly next to the free-grazing herd. All correct actions dogs are always rewarded with treats

Initial training is always done at home, in a calm environment, where nothing distracts or frightens the pet. Dog training at home is a start, during which the pet will master the main, vital commands. How to teach a dog to understand you? How to praise your pet correctly? What mistakes do inexperienced owners often make?

There are no stupid dogs. Just believe it and accept it as a fact - it will be easier to work with a dog. Of course, you should start as soon as the puppy appears in the house. The age of two months is quite suitable for mastering simple skills, and it is during this period that the baby absorbs knowledge at an incredible speed. Sometimes it even seems that dogs become dumber with age, but this is not so - it’s just harder for adult pets to learn new information. Although training adult dogs at home will also definitely bear fruit if done correctly. So, let’s remember the inviolable dogmas:

the first classes last no more than 10 minutes, two to three times a day;

lessons always begin by repeating already learned commands;

before training, the dog should be allowed to lose excess energy;

does not exercise on a full stomach, immediately after sleep or late in the evening;

we punish the dog only with our voice, saying reproachfully “Ay-ay-ay”, “Bad”, “You can’t do that.” We don’t shout, we don’t grab you by the scruff of the neck, we don’t beat you under any circumstances for refusing to carry out a command;

Dog training at home always takes place in the form of play, in a good positive mood. The pet needs to be interested, “included” in the process without pressure or coercion;

Say the command once, maximum twice. It’s useless to say “Come to me, come to me, come to me!” a hundred times. - this way you will only teach the dog that it is possible to carry out a command from the tenth instruction, but this is unacceptable (a speeding car will not wait);

Praise your dog as if he just saved the world. Rejoice wildly at every success, speak in a playful, happy voice;

Practice every day so that your pet does not forget the learned commands. 10 minutes is enough to repeat the entire “course”.

Failure to comply with any rule - big mistake! Pay attention to the little things, it's very important. Dogs detect the slightest changes in mood, intonation, and gestures. First of all, watch yourself, your actions, then it will be easier for your pet to understand you. Don't confuse your dog by using different gestures or variations of commands (come here, come to me, come).

How to interest a dog?

First of all, the owner must sincerely enjoy training. Then the dog will feel that its owner is happy and will follow commands with increasing diligence. Don’t “turn on” the leader without urgent need(aggression, direct or veiled).

To keep your pet interested, one of the reward methods is used - praise with play, food and/or attention. As a rule, training small breed dogs at home goes well if the owner emotionally and joyfully praises the pet, consolidating the result with a tasty bite. Although any dog will not refuse a treat, you should not overfeed it (the piece is tiny, only to indicate the correctness of the actions). Play as a reward works well with active breeds (hunters, dogs).

At first, give your pet a hint. For example, before training, you can put on a waist pouch with a treat, which the dog sees only during the training process and never again. Or take out a favorite toy from the “hidden”, which the dog will associate with training and subsequent play. When your pet understands the commands well, you can do without special tips.

How to praise a dog correctly?

The dog will associate a treat and reward with affection (voice, stroking) with correct behavior only if the reward occurs at the time the command is executed. Main mistake– praise with a delay, during which the pet performed some action not related to the command. For example, the command “Come to me” is practiced: the dog should receive a treat on the way, as soon as it is at the owner’s feet. Incorrect - the dog came up and sat down (or turned around at his feet). In this case, the pet can associate the reward with its last action (twirled at the feet, sat down, leaned its front paws on the owner’s legs, licked the palm, etc.).

When practicing some skills, it is impossible to praise the dog right away. In such cases, use a clicker - a small clicking keychain. First, the dog is taught to click (click - they gave something tasty, click - they gave it something tasty, without any commands). The pet quickly associates the click and good emotions. Now the click will be enough for the dog to understand that he is acting correctly.

Read also: Yorkshire Terrier: pros and cons of the breed

Basic commands that can and should be practiced at home

Proceed from simple to complex - first learn the simplest commands, and then move on to those that not all dogs understand from the first training.

To me- the most important command, without exaggeration, it can save a pet’s life. At first, the command is pronounced when the puppy is already running towards the owner. Then using attraction (show a toy or treat from afar). For the first time, the command “Come to me” is given from a short distance, literally a couple of meters. When the pet understands what's what, you need to gradually increase the distance in order to achieve the command even when the owner is in another room (i.e. the dog does not see the person). You should always call your dog in a firm but calm, positive voice. Never call your dog if you are going to do something unpleasant (cut his nails, scold him for a puddle, etc.).

Sit- Another required skill. This command can be used instead when the dog needs to be stopped (for example, there is a road ahead). Training hunting dogs at home necessarily includes the “stand” command, but for city pets it is enough to be able to sit on command. The first time the command is pronounced, catching the moment when the puppy begins to sit down on its own. We repeat several times. Then we complicate the task by teaching the dog to sit on command (voice + gesture - vertically raised palm, see photo) when the owner demands it. We hold the treat between our fingers and show it to the dog, slightly extending the hand with the treat forward (do not lower your palm, the dog should not reach the treat). At the same time we say “Sit.” Perhaps the pet will try to jump towards the hand, spin around at the feet, wag its tail, etc. We stand like a monument, without moving, without changing our posture. When the dog gets tired of begging, it will sit in front of the hand, i.e. fulfills the command - praise!

These are the two most important commands that the dog must carry out the first time, “unquestioningly”, in any mood and in any situation. Without mastering these skills, the dog should never be let off the leash during a walk!

By the way, about the leash. After all, this is also a kind of skill! Definitely before your first walks. Walk around the apartment for at least 5 minutes three times a day. Do not allow the dog to pull you, you must control your pet. If the dog goes in the wrong direction, pull the leash briefly and lightly (two or three short tugs). This is a signal, not a compulsion! The pet should go voluntarily, and not be dragged along because he has no choice.

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and the care of companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Works at the same animal clinic in his hometown more than 20 years.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Dogs are not only pets, but also our friends. Maybe you're a dog lover trying to make a career out of your love of animals? Become a trainer - great way earn money, realize yourself in life and just do what you like! If you want to succeed and become a good dog trainer, you need to be patient and be willing to put a lot of effort and time into achieving your goal. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps you'll need to take to become a dog trainer.

Steps

Find more information

Learn about animal psychology. To become a successful dog trainer, you must understand how these animals think. So you will have to study their behavior. You can start reading different manuals and books. Choose books by famous authors who analyze and explain why a dog behaves the way it does in a given situation.

Find out what skills and abilities you will need. There are several types of dog handlers. Take your time and read about in different ways build a career as a trainer, and then decide what interests you most. Find out about the most famous dog handlers in your city and ask them to tell you what exactly their job is. Such conversations will help you understand the pros and cons of this profession and make a decision.

There are many other professions besides being a pet dog trainer. For example, you may be training dogs for medical purposes. One option is to start training guide dogs.
You can train dogs for security personnel or train military dogs. Trained dogs They assist officers in their duties, sometimes they participate in searches for missing people, and they also help find explosives and drugs.
You can also become a dog trainer for dogs that will then appear in movies or shows. This option is best suited for those who live in cities and regions where there are film studios.

Try becoming a volunteer. Even if you have a lot of experience working with your own dogs, as a trainer you will have to learn how to work and communicate with other people's animals. An excellent opportunity to gain the necessary experience is to become a volunteer. Visit a few shelters in your city and see if they need volunteers.
- Some shelters allow volunteers to work with and train dogs. Find out about this opportunity at the shelter where you volunteer. This is a great way to gain essential experience and skills working with animals.
- If you work as a volunteer, you will be able to understand whether you really want to choose this profession for yourself. Many shelter dogs have behavioral problems. Volunteering will give you an idea of what you can expect from your profession if you want to become a dog trainer.
- Think about whether you have the opportunity to take dogs in for foster care, that is, provide them with temporary housing. You will have to look after the dogs while a permanent owner is found for them. Overexposure of animals can last from 24 hours to several weeks or months. Working with dogs in shelters and at home is a great way to learn how to interact with dogs of different breeds and personalities. Find out about the possibility of fostering animals at a shelter.
Get your diploma
1. Select a curriculum. You can choose to attend a four-year college or university to earn a degree in animal handling. This program provides good basic knowledge regarding animal psychology. In addition, a diploma is proof to an employer not only of your skills and knowledge in this field, but also that you have put a lot of time and effort into studying them.
  - Meet with a college admissions representative and ask about the curriculum for your major. Be sure to think about how much effort and time it will cost you to successfully graduate from college.
  - If you don't have the time, funds or desire to pursue higher education and become a dog trainer, there are other ways to get an education. One way is to go to Professional institute. Although the programs of schools and colleges differ, the schools also have decent educational programs. Find information about it on the Internet, read reviews former students to find out how it all happens.
2. Higher education this specialty can be obtained at the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K. A. Timiryazev (RGAU-MSHA named after K. A. Timiryazev) at the Faculty of Animal Engineering with a specialization in “Cynology”. Beyond average vocational education contact the Canine College of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education MGAVMiB named after K.I. Scriabin, Moscow Construction College No. 38 (Department “Trade Union”) and other colleges where there is a specialty “Cineology”.
  - Once you receive your diploma, you will have to continue to improve your skills, that is, you will need to take part in seminars and conferences every year on the specifics of your specialty
3. Find a good mentor. The best way obtain the necessary knowledge and skills - start working with an experienced trainer. In some educational programs There is an opportunity where the educational institution provides you with a job with a mentor. Before choosing an educational institution and suitable program, ask if there is an opportunity to practice with an experienced trainer.
  - Even if you don't take classes, you can still learn some of the intricacies from an expert in the field. In many large companies Internships are available for working with animals. Connect with educational institution to find out if it provides internships for its students.
  - Keep in mind that interns and assistants are paid very little, and sometimes not at all.
Find a job
1. Set your priorities. Closer to the end of your studies or internship, think about what type of activity you would like to continue doing. Are you interested in working with regular family dogs that need to be made a little more obedient? Then consider getting a job where you can do typical dog training.
  - If you are interested in something more specific, consider how popular it is in your region. For example, dogs for the military and police are trained only in some cities and regions. Perhaps you want to move for work? Ask yourself questions like these as you think about your career and prospects.
2. Update your resume. Once you decide what kind of trainer you want to be, it's time to start looking for a job. Make sure your resume is always updated to include current education and work experience information. You should also get some professional advice from experts in the field. It is best to get references from former employers, employees and teachers.
  - Make sure you have a professional cover letter that is sent along with your resume. You should indicate why you are applying for this position and also highlight your strengths that are important in being a dog trainer.
3. Find potential employers. You can register on job search sites to find more vacancies. This is the most current and effective method find a job as many companies update information and vacancies every day. If you know where you want to work, contact the company directly to discuss whether there are further prospects for you to work with.