7 Common Dog Training Mistakes You May Be Making

Are you frustrated with your dog’s behavior? Are you struggling to train them yourself? You’re not alone. Many dog owners make common mistakes when training their dogs. Training your dog is an important part of building a strong relationship with them, and it is crucial that you are doing it correctly. 

In this blog post, we will discuss seven of the most common dog training mistakes and how to avoid them. As a professional dog trainer company in Park City, we’d love to share some of our advice.

You Don’t Train Your Dog Often Enough

One of the most common dog training mistakes is not training your dog often enough. Dogs are like people in that they need to practice new things frequently in order to learn and remember them.

If you only train your dog once a week, they are likely to forget what you have taught them by the end of the week. Try to schedule at least two training sessions a week, and make sure they are at least 15 minutes long.

Your Training Sessions Are Too Short or Too Long

Another common mistake is having training sessions that are either too short or too long. If your dog is only trained for a few minutes at a time, they will become bored and will not be able to focus. 

On the other hand, if your training sessions are too long, your dog will become overwhelmed and exhausted. The sweet spot for training sessions is usually around 20-30 minutes. Utah residents can find a professional dog trainer in Park City that will assist with maximizing your dog’s learning capacity. 

You Rely Too Much on Treats

While treats can be a great motivator for dogs, relying too heavily on them can actually be detrimental to your dog’s training. If your dog only performs a behavior when they are being rewarded with a treat, they will come to expect that treat every time they do the behavior. 

This can lead to problems down the road, such as your dog refusing to obey a command if they don’t see a treat in your hand. Try to use treats sparingly, and only reward your dog for behaviors that they haven’t yet mastered.

You Use Too Much Emotion

Some dog owners make the mistake of using too much emotion when training their dogs. Dogs are very intuitive creatures, and they can pick up on our emotions easily. If you get angry or frustrated with your dog while you are training them, they will become stressed and will not be able to focus. 

It is important to remain calm and patient during training sessions, even if your dog isn’t progressing as quickly as you would like.

You Are Reactive, Not Proactive

Many dog owners wait until their dog has already done something wrong to start training them. For example, if your dog jumps on you when you come home from work, you might scold them and tell them to “get down.” While it is important to correct your dog’s behavior, it is also important to be proactive and prevent the problem from happening in the first place. 

If you know that your dog is prone to jumping on people, put them in a sit-stay or down-stay before someone comes over. This will prevent them from being able to jump up, and they will eventually learn that they should stay in that position when someone is coming into the house.

You Are Inconsistent

Dogs thrive on consistency, and one of the biggest dog training mistakes is being inconsistent with your commands. It is important to be consistent with your commands and expectations in order for your dog to learn and obey them.

For example, if you always allow your dog to jump on you when you come home from work, but then sometimes scold them for doing it, they will become confused and will not know what to expect. 

You Lack Confidence

One of the most important things you can do when training your dog is to project confidence. Dogs are very good at reading our body language, and if you lack confidence, they will sense it and will not respond well to your commands. 

It is important to stand tall, make eye contact, and use a firm voice when giving commands. This will let your dog know that you are in charge and that you expect them to obey you.

Looking for a Dog Trainer in Park City?

There are a number of common dog training mistakes that many dog owners make. By being aware of these mistakes, you can avoid them and set your dog up for success. Remember to be consistent, patient, and confident when training your dog, and you will see great results in no time. 

If you’re looking for a professional dog trainer in Park City, contact us at Rocky Mountain K9 today. We’d be happy to help your dog become the best pet they can be.