Preparing your pup for training

As a professional dog trainer, I have had the privilege to work with many dogs over the past

30 plus years. It is my opinion that attitude is one of the most important tools to have when heading into a training session. If your pup perceives training as a grind or begins to associate training with you being frustrated, then they will soon develop a bad attitude just heading into the training session.

With this in mind try to find an activity that your dog is crazy about or at least enjoys. Retrievers love to retrieve. Shepherds, Pitbulls and Rottweilers love to play tug. Find that special activity for your dog and begin and end your training session with it. Be sure not to overdo it, leave them wanting more - making sure your dog is looking forward to his training session. Teach them that learning is something fun and you will have much more success and progress in your training sessions.

A good training session may be stressful on your dog as you push them to focus longer and learn more complex and demanding behaviors. Understand this and make time in your training session for fun and stress relief, this will help maintain a good attitude throughout the session. Remember to end your training session with a fun activity so that your pup ends on a happy note.