I WANT TO HELP MY DOG WITH

TRAINING SESSIONS

How to help your dog during training sessions

  1. Why would my dog need support in training?

    ​There are some dogs that worry in situations that are new to them or are just generally anxious.

    Using products which help them feel secure in this environment facilitates their learning, helping them develop into their best for the future.

  2. Some dogs just need help to focus!

    • Your dog might worry in new situations such as training sessions,
    • This would make it quite difficult for them to focus and learn effectively.
  3. Try ThunderShirt!

    • Putting on a relaxing jacket when beginning training sessions can help them feel more at ease in their surroundings.
    • "It may help your dog concentrate better" says our Dog Trainer.
    • Practice with the shirt, so they don't build up a negative association.
  4. Make training part of your daily schedule

    • Schedule in regular training sessions so that it becomes part of your routine.
    • Develop a signal so your dog knows that a training session is about to start – this could be putting on your dog’s ThunderShirt.
    • End a session with something that your dog knows well, so you end on a positive flourish!
  5. Go at your dog's pace

    • Start with simple cues, such as responding to their name, building your dog’s confidence as they succeed.
    • Keep training sessions short
    • Focus on one task at a time so they don’t become confused.
    • Different dogs will learn at their own pace so don’t get frustrated if learning is not going as fast as you would like.

We recommend:

Calming vest for better concentration during training

TESTIMONIALS

See how ThunderShirt helped these Dogs:

How ThunderShirt helped Lauren's dog Luna
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How ThunderShirt helped Lauren's dog Luna

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ADAPTIL Junior

Dog Trainer advice to maximise your dog during training sessions

Training is an important part of a dog’s life; it not only provides mental stimulation, but it helps to keep your pup happy, and training together strengthens your bond. It can also be essential for your dogs development to learn the skills they (and you) require e.g.  not pulling on the lead, approaching other dogs etc.​

Training should be based on positive reward based methods, as Happy Dog Expert Angela González explains. However, even when using positive training methods, dogs can find learning new things in new environments challenging which is why extra support can benefit them.

Follow these top tips for successful and fun training sessions!

  • Positive training rewards and motivates a dog for good behaviour, setting them up to succeed, while allowing you to build a relationship with your dog based on mutual trust.
  • Find out what your dog really likes – rewards for your pup might be a small piece of cheese or meat, or they may have a favourite game they love to play or may simply love to receive ‘good dog’ praise from you! Reward your dog when they do what you want them to do, as this encourages them to do it again!
  • Make learning fun as your dog will respond much more quickly.
  • Behaviourists recommend to make sure you use the same cues – it is tempting sometimes to use the cue word differently, but consistency will help your dog understand what you are looking for.
  • You should keep training sessions short (up to 15 minutes for many dogs) and stop if your dog is showing signs that they are not able to concentrate.
  • Keep cool! If your dog is struggling with a task, go back a few steps in the training process and build back up again.
  • Embrace positive reinforcement and give lots of praise when your dog does what you are training it to do. 
  • Do not punish your dog for bad behaviour - ignore and redirect that unwanted behaviour elsewhere.
  • Training your puppy and attending puppy school classes is really important, but dogs don’t stop learning when they leave puppyhood.

  • You can train successfully an older dog as well!

  • Your dog’s ongoing training will depend on what your objectives and your dog’s skills are: perhaps you could do an obedience refresher course or you could even try a new hobby together and get training in a dog sport such as agility or flyball!

  • Keep learning and enjoy time training together!