Written By: Max Randall
Founder of MK9Plus
Qualified Dog trainer
When you get a dog, you’re making a commitment to a companion for years to come. Building a strong, positive bond with your dog is key to getting the most out of this companionship, both for you and your dog! With the right training and skills, you can shape behaviours that lead to a calm, well-behaved, and most of all, happy pup!
With consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience, you’ll be well on your way to shaping a well-behaved, happy dog. MK9Plus’s online courses are an easy way to make training rewarding and stress-free, with specialist advice and guidance. Enjoy the journey—you’re building a lifelong bond with your best friend.
Practice Patience and Shorter Training Sessions
Dogs respond best to short (3-10 minute) sessions with a positive, motivated tone. This helps them to maintain focus with their shorter attention spans – you want to end your training exercise while your dog is still interested in what you’re teaching them.
Setting aside a few minutes throughout your day is also more realistic or most people’s schedules than dedicating blocks of time to dog training, and this will give your dog time to digest the new information you’ve taught them. Unlike many conventional dog training packages, MK9Plus’s online training focuses on your dog’s mental health and daily life, providing a holistic approach that creates permanent, positive changes that work for your dog’s brain.
Positive Reinforcement Over Punishment
One of the foundational beliefs of MK9Plus’s course is that your dog’s behaviour is influenced by their emotional health, lifestyle, and environment. Positive reinforcement is a key element of maintaining your dog’s wellbeing, creating healthy behaviours that last and don’t need controlling.
Reward-based training encourages your dog to repeat good behaviour, building a bond based on trust. Punishment, on the other hand, can lead to confusion and anxiety, which contributes to a detrimental emotional wellbeing.
With positive reinforcement, you teach your dog that good things happen when they make good choices. This could be extra praise, plenty of ear scratches, or good old-fashioned treats!
Ready to take your dog’s training to the next level? MK9Plus’s expert online courses are designed to make training enjoyable and effective, helping you shape a confident, well-behaved dog. Click here to get started and see the difference specialist guidance can make.