It’s never a bad time to play dog training games. Whether we’re talking about the time of day, the phase of your life, or how old your dog is. Truthfully, your dog is learning from you all the time – how to behave, what you like, what’s acceptable, and absolutely what’s not.
We talked to a person today who’s interested in doing “stuff” with her dog. She has a three-year-old Labrador Retriever and knows he’s smart. He can “do stuff.” And she’s reached a point where she knows he’s not living up to his potential. He can do more. And she wants to give him that chance.
How much training
It surprises first-time dog owners that dogs are intelligent beings who thrive on challenges. The before-dog fantasy may have included cuddles on the couch, or everywhere companions. But it probably didn’t incorporate the laughs, frustrations, and surprises in store.
When people adopt dogs from rescues or shelters, they tend to be all gung-ho on training class right away. They don’t realize it takes weeks before the dog adjusts to the new environment. At first, it’s more important to let the dog decompress and start to relax. For these dogs, 2-Minute sessions may be ideal. Just a little bit at a time, and always fun.
Getting a puppy is a bit different. Puppies aren’t “blank slates,” but they don’t have the baggage that rescue dogs carry. Puppies are ready to absorb and learn from day one. But they don’t have the attention span or stamina. Or, for that matter, the retention. For these dogs, the short, fast, fun games are perfect.
When to get “serious”
Like the woman we spoke to, there comes a time that you look at your dog and realize how much more they’re capable of. The long walks and “fetch” sessions are routine and getting a bit boring. Maybe that’s when you start investigating what more there is for you and your dog.
All of the dog sports exist for fun. Some you and your dog can play in the comfort of your own home, like “Trick Dog.” Others need wide open spaces and knowledgeable instruction to keep you and your dog safe, like agility. When you start to look around, you’ll find a myriad of possibilities for every dog/handler team.
Good foundation
Every single dog sport starts with the relationship between you and your dog. That’s what we’re doing here. 2-Minute Dog Training will build the focus, willingness to try, the trust, and the partnership between you and your dog. When you explore the world of dog sports, take your 2-Minute dog training games with you. There’s no limit on what you and your dog can achieve.
Finding your website has been a blessing.
I have just adopted a 5 year old very energetic German shepherd ( female) and she is beautiful. She has personality plus and won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. So reading about the ‘2-minute trainer’ is something I am definitely going to take on board.
She follows simple commands like ‘heel’ and she walks well on a leash; ‘fetch’ and ‘stay’ are often over-ridden by her exuberance wanting to play on her own terms.
Would you suggest attending obedience training or should I persist in training her myself.?
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so happy to know we’ve been helpful for you and your dog. The answer as to whether your newly-adopted German Shepherd (Congratulations!) would benefit from class training is – it depends. It takes a minimum of three months for an adopted dog to adjust to her new environment and situation. If you feel you would be able to keep her attention during class, by all means give it a try, especially if the class you’re considering is based in positive reinforcement. If it’s too much for her, ask the instructor if you can sit on the sidelines and let her watch. If yes, reward her for focus, and for calm behavior. Classes would be supplemental to your at-home 2-Minute sessions – keep playing training games with her to grow your partnership and relationship.