Get Started. It's Free
or sign up with your email address
Dog Training by Mind Map: Dog Training

1. ANALYZE - What are the needs of the pet owner? Are they a first time puppy parent or has their pooch mastered sit, down, and stay and is ready for some more challenging tricks? How often will the owner have time to train? The trainer needs to establish the needs of their client on an individual basis and then draw from their experience to customize a plan for that person.

1.1. Understanding the experience levels and needs of the owner and their dog is important when moving on designing a training regimen.

1.2. This could be done by filling out a short questionnaire prior to beginning lessons.

2. DESIGN - Once needs and experience are established, it should be pretty straight forward where any training should start. At this point, a schedule for lessons needs to be established and the owner should be prepped for reinforcing trained behaviors for the best results.

2.1. How often the owner would like to come in for one-on-one lessons and how much time can be spent at home teaching will affect this part of the process. The more time someone can spend at home, the faster a dog will catch on to new positive behavior and will not require as much time with the trainer.

3. DEVELOP - This part of the learning process requires the owner and trainer to work synchronously to attain optimal results. The owner will be the one issuing most of the commands at lessons but it is imperative they follow instructions exactly from their trainer. As one skill is learned, it’s possible to build from that skill.

3.1. Example: It’s much easier to train a dog to roll over if it is already laying down.

4. IMPLEMENTATION - After the very first lesson this stage begins. Just like with any other skill, unless it is practiced, the dog will not get any better at it. Reinforcing learned behaviors at home is a very important part of the training process.

4.1. It is said by some dog trainers that for every time your new dog has in accident inside the house, it takes 5 more times of going to the bathroom outside to relearn the positive behavior that dogs should go to the bathroom outside. If behaviors aren’t reinforced at home, dog training is being wasted on your pooch!

4.2. Dog owners can set themselves up for success in this stage by determining with their trainer what motivates their dog. Some are food motivated and will do anything for a treat, some with a squeaky toy. Finding out what an individual dog responds to will make reinforcing behaviors a lot easier!

5. EVALUATE - After completing the first round of lessons, it’s time for the owner to go home and see what they are able to accomplish with their dog. Have their attained their goal of letting Fido out to pee in the morning and NOT having to chase after him running down the block, or are they still struggling?

5.1. Sometimes it can take more than just learning the basic tricks for your pup to feel at it’s prime. Agility trials are a great way to continue training for a hyperactive pup that lives to please!

5.2. Depending on the level of the trainer, an owner may be able to reach back out and plan future lessons.