How to Train Your Dog in 2021

Training your dog is a beneficial and enjoyable activity that can help you bond with your dog, teach your dog good manners and behaviors, and prevent your dog from developing bad habits or problems. Training your dog can also be fun and easy, as you can use various techniques, tools, and tips, and teach your dog various commands, tricks, or skills, depending on your preference and goal. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you train your dog in 2021:

Choose your dog and your goal

The first step to train your dog in 2021 is to choose your dog and your goal that suit your situation and needs. You can choose a dog that matches your personality, lifestyle, or experience, and that is healthy, friendly, and trainable. You can also choose a goal that matches your level, time, or budget, and that is realistic, specific, and measurable. Choosing your dog and your goal can help you create a training plan that is personalized, focused, and achievable.

Use positive reinforcement and clicker training

The second step to train your dog in 2021 is to use positive reinforcement and clicker training that can help you train your dog effectively and efficiently. You can use positive reinforcement, which is a technique that involves rewarding your dog with treats, praise, or toys, whenever your dog performs a desired behavior, and ignoring or redirecting your dog, whenever your dog performs an undesired behavior. You can also use clicker training, which is a technique that involves using a small device that makes a clicking sound, to mark the exact moment when your dog performs a desired behavior, and then rewarding your dog with a treat, praise, or toy. Using positive reinforcement and clicker training can help you teach your dog what you want and what you don’t want, and motivate your dog to learn and repeat the desired behavior.

Teach your dog the basic commands and skills

The third step to train your dog in 2021 is to teach your dog the basic commands and skills that can help your dog become well-behaved and obedient. You can teach your dog the basic commands and skills, such as:

• Sit: This is a command that tells your dog to sit down on the ground, and stay in that position until you release your dog. You can teach your dog to sit by holding a treat in front of your dog’s nose, and moving it up and back, until your dog lowers its bottom to the ground. You can then click and reward your dog, and say “sit”. You can also repeat this process, until your dog sits on your cue, and then gradually fade the treat and the clicker, and only use your voice and your hand signal.
• Stay: This is a command that tells your dog to remain in a certain position, such as sit, down, or stand, and not move until you release your dog. You can teach your dog to stay by asking your dog to sit, and then holding your palm in front of your dog’s face, and saying “stay”. You can then take a step back, and if your dog stays, you can click and reward your dog, and say “good stay”. You can also repeat this process, until your dog stays on your cue, and then gradually increase the distance, duration, and distraction, and only use your voice and your hand signal.
• Come: This is a command that tells your dog to come to you, and not run away or chase something else. You can teach your dog to come by holding a treat in your hand, and calling your dog’s name, and saying “come”. You can then run away from your dog, and if your dog follows you, you can click and reward your dog, and say “good come”. You can also repeat this process, until your dog comes on your cue, and then gradually reduce the treat and the clicker, and only use your voice and your hand signal.

Have fun and enjoy the process

The fourth and final step to train your dog in 2021 is to have fun and enjoy the process. You need to remember that training your dog is a journey, not a destination, and that you will always have something to teach, learn, or improve. You also need to remember that training your dog is a personal, not a competitive, activity, and that you should not compare your dog to others, but to your dog. You also need to remember that training your dog is a rewarding, not a stressful, activity, and that you should not pressure your dog, but praise your dog. Having fun and enjoying the process can help you relax, appreciate, and celebrate your dog training.