Training your pet is about more than just good behaviour – it’s about building trust, communication and a lasting bond.
With years of hands-on experience and a true passion for animal welfare, renowned animal training expert Debbie Kuhn brings together insight and practical advice to help you and your furry friend thrive.
Whether you’re starting with a new puppy, working through challenges with an older dog, or just looking to refresh your routine, these 10 tried-and-true tips will set you on the path to positive, effective training – with plenty of tail wags along the way.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Reward good behaviour with treats, praise, toys or affection. Animals learn faster and retain behaviours better when they associate them with something positive.
Timing Is Everything
Rewards must happen immediately (within one to two seconds) of the behaviour. Delays confuse the animal about what they’re being rewarded for.
Be Consistent
Use the same cues and rules every time. Everyone in the household should follow the same training methods to avoid mixed signals.
Example: Say ‘down’ every time you want the animal to lie down – not ‘lie down,’ ‘get down’ or ‘settle’.
Keep Sessions Short, Positive and Frequent
Train in short bursts – 5 to 15 minutes – multiple times a day. Animals (especially young ones) learn best in brief, fun sessions.
Understand Species-Specific Behaviour
Know what is natural for your animal. Cats aren’t small dogs, and parrots aren’t just feathered toddlers. Tailor your training to their instincts and cognition.
Break Tasks Into Small Steps (Shaping)
Don’t expect your pet to learn a complex behaviour all at once. Use shaping – rewarding small approximations of the final behaviour. This is called successive approximation in training.
Generalize Behaviours
Train in various environments so the animal learns the behaviour applies in multiple contexts – not just your living room.
Watch for Stress Signals
Learn and respect body-language cues that show discomfort, fear or overstimulation. Training should be a bonding experience, not a battle.
Make It Fun!
End sessions on a positive note. Use games, play or favourite activities and treats as rewards. A happy animal is a more responsive learner.
