How to make dog training more enjoyable - improve interaction with your dog

That we should train our dog to have a functioning everyday life together is nothing new. When you bring home a puppy, it should be trained to walk nicely on a leash, sit on command, wait for a treat at the food bowl and to have a functioning recall. Some days dog training can feel really fun. But quite honestly - sometimes it feels really boring. Leash training and obedience exercises can sometimes feel like a duty and become monotonous. Fortunately, there are simple tricks that can make it a more enjoyable time for both you and your dog! By making training more fun, you create a positive experience that makes it easier for your dog to learn and develop. It also improves your interaction and your relationship.

We list some tips you can try to make training a time that both you and your dog love:

• Play a lot : If your dog likes toys - fun! Replace the treats with a little playtime with your dog. If your dog doesn't like toys - play with the food! Throw treats, let the dog chase the treat, try to catch the treat... Increase the playfulness of your treats. Sometimes it can also be good to have a completely undemanding playtime together without any training requirements. This builds your dog's focus more than you think.
• Increase variety : Training the same things over and over again can feel monotonous for both you and your dog. Vary what you train and how you train it. Here you can vary the environments you train in, change rewards and avoid training the same things every day. It can be an advantage to plan your training so that you don't always train the same things. Write down training ideas on your phone that you can easily pull out when inspiration strikes.
• Train other than everyday obedience : Everyday obedience can be loaded with demands and it is easy to mix your own emotions into that form of training. Of course, we still need to train everyday obedience, but sometimes training something that is not so “important” can be good for your cooperation, the dog’s self-confidence and can make you relax a little more when you train your dog. Here you can do nose activation with your dog, practice tricks, rally obedience or why not go cycling with your dog? With online training in the form of dog courses online courses you can easily find inspiration for varied dog training that can be done anywhere.
• Let the dog succeed : Failing repeatedly with exercises that are too difficult can easily demotivate the dog. Rather train on simple things when you are in a difficult environment to boost your cooperation and the dog's focus on you. If you have asked the dog to sit 5 times but it does not listen, do something else - it is probably too difficult in that particular environment. Do not train when the dog is tired or not receptive. Also, do not only train on what is difficult, but also on what the dog can do so that the dog feels competent.
• Don't forget to rest : It's okay to take rest days, to throw away all the demands and pressure of training sometimes. Sometimes replace training sessions with play or cuddling on the couch.
• Stop comparing yourself to others : Relax a little. Things don't have to work on the first try. Don't compare yourself and your dog to the neighbor's dog or all the talented dogs you see in your social media feed. Let things take their time, slowly but surely builds the most solid foundation for any form of dog training.
• Keep training sessions short : Short sessions with a high reward frequency can help your dog stay focused better than if you train long sessions that tire your dog out. End when it's going well so you both remember the wonderful feeling for the next training session!

Dog training can be something you both look forward to, not just a boring routine. By adding play, variety, and relaxation, you can have a more enjoyable time together. Having fun together increases your interaction and your relationship - which is often the key to success in dog training!

Article written by
Maria Carlsson
Dog focus.se