Your veterinarian is a great resource for references on how to train your pet or you can venture online and do some digging yourself. Whether it’s a new pet to your family or you’ve had your furry friend for a while, training them can be difficult.
While most dogs are trainable to some degree, there are certain breeds that are easier to train than others. Here’s a quick list:
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Border Collie
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd Dog
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Papillon
- Poodle (Miniature)
- Poodle (Standard)
- Rottweiler
- Shetland Sheepdog
While there is no doubt other breeds of dogs can be trained, the breeds listed above have proven to pick up signals and commands much quicker than other dogs. No matter which breed of dog you have or even if your pet is a mixed breed, getting into a good training class with a professional trainer can help a great deal.
Your veterinarian can provide recommendations for local training classes or groups. Once in a class, you’ll see that many instructors use the clicker method. This is when you use a small plastic device that makes a clicking noise when pressed. Using the clicker to call your pet or command his attention will allow you to provide a treat as positive reinforcement. Make the treat something great such as dehydrated chicken or liver bites.
Remember, the key to training any dog is to have patience. Depending upon your pet, it may take days, weeks or even months to train them on certain commands. The more patience and time you have for your pet the easier training will be. Whether your goal is to have Fido potty outside within two weeks, walk calmly at your side or bring your paper to you, training creates a bond between you and your pet that will last a lifetime.
If you’re looking for a caring and compassionate veterinarian contact our team today. We’ll provide some key training tips for both you and your pet.