HOW DOG TRAINING WORKS

Before training with your dog, it is important that the setting is right.

This includes having the reward that is tailored to your dog. Would he rather be rewarded with a toy than a snack? Then pack his favorite toy. Will he do anything for treats? Then these are a must. By the way: Our absolute jackpot snacks BEEVYS and JERKEYS are particularly good for training. Their special aroma, which comes from smoking over beech wood, will make every dog ​​turn their nose! Try it now and see if your dog will become a model student too!

It doesn't always have to be snacks: your happy voice and a cheerful speech can also be a reward for your dog.

In addition, your own mood is important: Are you in a good mood and motivated? Your dog will notice that too!

The environment also counts and must be adapted to the training situation or training goal. For example: How strong can or should the distraction be.

It is also important that you are informed about the training structure and steps.

Avoid using your dog's name as a command. For example, if you want to call your dog back, use the appropriate command instead of calling your dog's name repeatedly.

Hours of dog training? No way! Short and sweet is more effective because the dog can stay focused, is not overwhelmed and does not get tired during training.

In this way, an exercise remains exciting and the dog is motivated to repeat it in the next training session.

A possible training rhythm:

• 1-2 minutes of training
• 1-2 minute break
• 1-2 minutes of training

You can either take another break afterwards or stop training altogether. You should make sure that you train for a total of 5-10 minutes (including breaks).

Of course, the appropriate training rhythm is very individual and the right duration depends greatly on the dog in question: how strenuous is the exercise? How much fun is your dog having at the moment? What experiences does he have?

Even if it is sometimes difficult and ambition drives you, take breaks! These are often underestimated. But they are particularly important! It is precisely during these breaks that training success is often greatest. The brain needs this time to process what has been trained . This is how you use the so-called learning curve most effectively. After the learning curve rises when training is successful, it drops slightly when processing. This allows it to settle at a stable level when the training goal is achieved. The better you know your dog, the easier it will be for you to train in line with the learning curve.

Long breaks in training are also very effective: if you start a new exercise with your dog, practice it for two or three days in a row and then do not do it at all for a few days. You will see: your dog will be highly motivated as soon as the training continues.

You can keep the tension in training by continually increasing the difficulty of an exercise. However, it is important that this increase is done in small steps so that you do not overwhelm your dog. The most important thing: have fun while training together.

To integrate even more success and joy into life with your dog, we have seven golden rules for you:

1. LIVE WITH YOUR DOG AT EYE LEVEL
It is not important that you act like an alpha animal and that you make it clear to your dog that he is under your command. As a rule, the dog is a member of the family. What is important is that you give your dog a sense of security and accompany him responsibly through the world.

2. RESPECT YOUR DOG
Your dog is a living being with its own character that needs to be taken into account. Just like with humans, this is characterized by emotions, experiences and its own motives. Take this into account in training.

3. CELEBRATE YOUR DOG'S SUCCESSES
Positive reinforcement increases training success. After all, we know from our own experience that there is a celebration at the end of a training course, for example. Your dog will also be happy if you give special recognition to big and small achievements.

4. UNDERSTAND YOUR DOG
Training is much easier when you know and understand your dog. Pay attention to his body language, read his emotions and respond to them. Specialist literature provides a good basis for basic understanding.

5. DON'T PRETEND TO YOUR DOG
Dogs are very sensitive to people's emotions. If you are not feeling well, your dog will notice. Dogs can also read our body language very well. If our words and our body language contradict each other, our dogs notice. So be honest with your dog and show him how you are feeling.

6. ATTEND YOUR DOG'S NEEDS
Just like us humans, dogs have their own individual needs. These include the basic needs for food, water and a safe place to sleep, but they also go beyond that: they need social contact, exercise, security and much more. This varies from dog to dog, of course. Get to know your dog and give him what he needs.

7. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR DOG It has been scientifically proven that dogs have enormous cognitive abilities. They can learn quickly and use a variety of strategies. We wish you and your furry friend lots of fun and success in training!