Train Your Dog Month

Happy New Year! Today is not only the first day of 2018, it’s also the start of Train Your Dog Month! Proper training is very important, both for petiquette and safety purposes. Read on as a local Thorold, ON vet discusses training your canine buddy.

Training isn’t just about doggy manners. It’s very important for your pet’s safety, and also for the safety of others. Proper training can prevent many types of mishaps. For instance, the command to Stay can keep your pup from racing off if you drop his leash, or stop him from approaching a dangerous area.

All dogs should know basic doggy obedience commands. The five most important ones are Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down . Make sure Fido has these mastered before you teach him anything else.

Did you know that dogs can learn up to 165 words, on average? Once your pooch has the basics down, there’s no reason you can’t continue his ‘petucation.’ Many dogs love learning new things! Teach Fido useful commands, like Leave It , or just show him some fun tricks, like Beg or Shake.

When working with your four-legged student, there are a few simple rules you’ll want to keep in mind. First, keep training sessions short and sweet, and focus on one command at a time. Be patient and consistent with your furry pupil. Use the same phrases each time, and don’t jump from lesson to lesson. We also recommend choosing a quiet environment to work in. Finally, be sure to focus on tactics that use positive reinforcement. Rewarding your canine companion for doing well is much more effective than reprimanding him for not picking something up quickly enough.

As one may expect, treats are a great way to reward your canine friend for making progress with his schooling. Use small snacks, like pieces of kibble or cut-up hot dogs, so you don’t end up overfeeding your adorable student. Praise and affection are also very effective. Tell Fido that he’s doing well, and that he’s a good boy. Don’t skimp on those ear scritches, either! This will help keep classtime fun for your cute pet, and keep that furry tail going.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, your Thorold, ON pet clinic, for all your dog’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!