Dog Training For Families: Tips For An Excellent Bonding And Learning Experience

10 July 2024

Imagine the excitement as a family brings home their new puppy—a furry bundle of joy with bright eyes, a wagging tail, and an insatiable curiosity about the world. From the very first moment, everyone’s heart is filled with love and anticipation for the adventures ahead. This adorable pup is not just a new pet but a new family member who will grow, learn, and play alongside them.

As the days go by, the family embarks on a journey of discovery, laughter, and learning. Dog training becomes an integral part of this adventure, transforming daily interactions into opportunities for bonding and growth. Training sessions are not just about teaching commands; they are about creating memories, instilling values, and fostering a sense of teamwork and communication. Through this shared experience, the family and their new furry friend will develop a deep connection and a harmonious relationship that enriches their lives. Let’s explore the multitude of benefits that dog training offers for families.

The Perks of Dog Training for Families

Strengthening Family Bonds

Dog training provides a unique opportunity for family members to work together towards a common goal. Training sessions can become a shared activity where everyone participates, fostering teamwork and cooperation. Whether it’s teaching your dog new tricks or reinforcing good behaviour, these activities can bring family members closer, creating lasting memories and strengthening the bond between the family and their furry companion.

Improved Communication

Effective dog training relies heavily on clear and consistent communication. By engaging in training, family members learn to communicate more effectively not only with the dog but also with each other. This improvement in communication extends beyond training sessions, enhancing overall family dynamics. Consistent commands and cues ensure that the dog understands what is expected, reducing confusion and fostering a sense of security and trust.

Developing Responsibility and Routine

Training a dog teaches children and adults alike about responsibility. Assigning different training tasks to family members encourages accountability and helps establish a routine that benefits both the dog and the family. This routine can bring structure to the household, making daily life more organised and predictable. Children, in particular, can learn valuable life skills such as patience, consistency, and empathy through their involvement in dog training.

Promoting Physical Activity

Dog training is an excellent way to get the whole family moving. Training sessions often involve physical activities that can improve the fitness levels of both the dog and family members. Activities such as fetch, agility courses, and long walks provide ample exercise, contributing to a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, engaging in physical activities together can be fun and rewarding, encouraging everyone to spend more time outdoors and stay active.

Enhancing Safety and Control

A well-trained dog is less likely to engage in dangerous behaviours that could harm themselves or others. Training helps in instilling good manners and obedience, ensuring that the dog responds appropriately in various situations. This is particularly important in preventing accidents and mishaps, especially in households with young children. By investing time in training, families can ensure a safer environment for everyone, reducing stress and promoting a harmonious living space.

Dog Training For Families

Introductory Tricks for Beginners

Sit

Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most fundamental commands and an excellent starting point for beginners. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
Step 2: Move your hand up, allowing their head to follow the treat and causing their bottom to lower.
Step 3: Once they’re in a sitting position, say “Sit,” give them the treat, and share affection.
Tip: Repeat this sequence a few times every day until your dog has mastered it. Consistency is key.

Stay

The “Stay” command helps in keeping your dog in one place, which can be very useful in various situations.

Step 1: First, command your dog to sit.
Step 2: Open your palm in front of you and say “Stay.”
Step 3: Take a few steps back. If they stay, reward them with a treat and affection.
Step 4: Gradually increase the distance you walk away before giving the treat.
Tip: Patience is crucial. Increase the time and distance gradually to ensure your dog remains successful.

Come

The “Come” command is essential for keeping your dog safe and for gaining control in potentially dangerous situations.

Step 1: Put a leash and collar on your dog.
Step 2: Go down to their level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.
Step 3: When they get to you, reward them with a treat and affection.
Tip: Practise this in a safe, enclosed area without distractions to build a reliable recall.

Down

The “Down” command helps in managing your dog’s behaviour, especially in social situations.

Step 1: Hold a treat in your closed hand.
Step 2: Place your hand up to your dog’s nose. When they sniff it, move your hand to the floor so they follow.
Step 3: Slide your hand along the ground in front of them to encourage their body to follow their head.
Step 4: Once they’re in the down position, say “Down,” give them the treat, and share affection.
Tip: Be patient and consistent. Some dogs might find this position difficult or submissive, so encourage them gently.

Leave It

“Leave It” is a crucial command for preventing your dog from picking up something potentially harmful.

Step 1: Place a treat in both hands.
Step 2: Show one enclosed fist with the treat inside, and say, “Leave it.”
Step 3: Let them lick, sniff, and paw at your hand, but ignore these behaviours.
Step 4: Once they stop trying, give them the treat from the other hand.
Step 5: Repeat until your dog moves away from the first fist when you say, “Leave it.”
Tip: Use different items to practise the “Leave it” command, ensuring your dog learns to ignore various distractions.

By starting with these introductory tricks, your family can build a solid foundation of obedience and good behaviour in their dogs. These basic commands not only make daily life easier but also enhance the bond between the dog and family members, paving the way for more advanced training in the future.

Dog Training For Families

Incorporating Training into Daily Routine

Making Training a Natural Part of Everyday Life

Integrating dog training into your daily routine can make the process more seamless and enjoyable for the whole family. Here are some practical ways to ensure that training becomes a regular and rewarding part of everyday life.

Training During Walks

Daily walks are an excellent opportunity to reinforce training commands and practise good behaviour.

Heel Command: Encourage your dog to walk beside you without pulling on the leash. Use treats and praise to reward them for staying close.
Sit at Intersections: Teach your dog to sit before crossing streets. This not only reinforces the sit command but also promotes safety.
Recall Practice: In safe, open areas, practice the “come” command. Let your dog explore a bit, then call it back to you, rewarding it when it returns.

Playtime Training

Incorporating training into playtime can make learning fun and engaging for your dog.

Fetch with a Twist: While playing fetch, use the opportunity to practise commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “drop it.” Before throwing the ball, ask your dog to sit and stay, and reward them for obeying.
Tug-of-War Rules: Use games like tug-of-war to teach commands like “take it” and “leave it.” This helps instil self-control and respect for commands during exciting activities.

Mealtime Manners

Training during mealtime can teach your dog patience and good manners.

Wait Command: Before placing the food bowl down, ask your dog to sit and wait. Only allow them to eat once you give the release command. This reinforces patience and impulse control.
No Begging: Teach your dog to stay in their designated spot during family meals. Reward them for staying calm and not begging for food.

Reinforcing Commands Throughout the Day

Take advantage of various daily activities to reinforce commands and behaviours.

Entering and Exiting Doors: Teach your dog to sit and wait before going through doors. This reinforces obedience and prevents them from rushing out.
Greeting Guests: Use the opportunity of guests arriving to practise commands like “sit” and “stay.” Reward your dog for calm behaviour and proper greetings.
Handling Distractions: Practice commands in different environments with varying levels of distractions. This helps your dog learn to obey regardless of the surroundings.

Consistency and Patience

Consistency is key to successful training. Ensure all family members use the same commands and rewards system. Patience is equally important; remember that training is a gradual process, and setbacks are normal.

By incorporating training into your daily routine, you can reinforce good behaviour and commands in a natural and enjoyable way. This approach not only makes training more effective but also strengthens the bond between your family and your dog, creating a harmonious living environment for everyone.

Professional Guidance for Optimal Results

The Role of a Professional Dog Trainer

Professional trainers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, ensuring that both the dog and the family learn the most effective techniques and approaches. It’s worth starting off your dog’s training with a few hands-on stay and train sessions in order to set a solid foundation.

Expertise and Experience: Professional trainers have extensive training and experience with various breeds and behavioural issues, allowing them to tailor their methods to your specific dog’s needs.
Objective Perspective: A trainer can provide an unbiased assessment of your dog’s behaviour and offer targeted advice that might be difficult to see from within the family.
Advanced Techniques: Trainers can introduce advanced training techniques and tools that may not be known to the average pet owner, accelerating the learning process.

Customised Training Programs

Professional dog trainers like those at Canine Evolution offer customised training programs that cater to the unique needs of your family and dog.

Individual Assessment: Trainers begin with an individual assessment of your dog’s behaviour, personality, and any specific issues that need addressing.
Personalised Plan: Based on the assessment, a tailored training plan is developed to meet your dog’s needs and your family’s lifestyle.
Flexible Scheduling: Customised programs offer flexible scheduling, making it easier to fit training sessions into your family’s routine.
Support and Resources: Trainers provide ongoing support and resources, including follow-up sessions, training materials, and advice on handling any future behavioural issues.

Success Stories and Testimonials

Nikki Tod

“Steph conducted a private lesson with our puppy at our home and I couldn’t be happier. She went through the techniques required to address the 2 areas of concern and took great care and time to teach me properly, whilst being super encouraging. It’s set us up to continue working with our pup and improving. Highly recommend Steph and Canine Evolution.”

Emily M

“Lee from Canine Evolution has been training our dog and we have noticed such a massive improvement with him and his behaviour! We always receive photo and video updates which is really nice and helpful too. Highly recommend.”

Darren Hunt

“Today for the first time I went to Canine Evolution for some much needed training for my dogs, but more importantly for ourselves. We had Verity as our trainer and help with Lee, great people skilled trainers. This training complex came with recommendations and did not disappoint at all. The detail in training was so clear and calm and in the middle of a little hassle with one of the dogs in a strange environment was rectified so well, with a more settled dog. So glad we went here for the professional training. Good work guys, we will be back.”

Long-Term Benefits

Investing in professional dog training offers long-term benefits that extend beyond the immediate results.

Behavioural Consistency: Professional training helps ensure that your dog’s good behaviour is consistent and long-lasting, making daily life more predictable and enjoyable.
Enhanced Bond: The structured training process can strengthen the bond between the dog and family members, as everyone works together towards common goals.
Preventative Care: Early professional training can prevent future behavioural issues, saving time, stress, and potential costs related to addressing problems that could have been avoided.
Confidence and Security: A well-trained dog is a more confident and secure dog, leading to a happier pet and a more relaxed household.

Enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer like Canine Evolution can set the foundation for a well-behaved, happy dog and a harmonious family life. Their expertise, personalised programs, and support can make a significant difference in the training process, ensuring that both your dog and your family thrive.

Barking Up the Right Tree: Family Benefits of Dog Training

Dog training is much more than teaching your dog basic commands; it is an enriching experience that brings families closer together. Through training, family members learn valuable life skills such as patience, consistency, and effective communication. The shared journey of training a dog transforms daily routines into meaningful interactions and creates lasting memories.

Starting with simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” families can gradually build a strong foundation of obedience and trust with their canine companion. Incorporating training into everyday activities ensures that learning is continuous and natural, making it an integral part of the family’s lifestyle.

For those looking to achieve optimal results, professional guidance from experienced trainers at Canine Evolution can be invaluable. Our expertise, personalised training programs, and ongoing support provide families with the tools and knowledge necessary to address specific behavioural issues and enhance their dog’s overall behaviour. The benefits of professional training extend far beyond immediate obedience, fostering long-term harmony and understanding within the household.

Investing time and effort into dog training offers numerous rewards: a well-behaved and happy dog, a more cohesive and responsible family unit, and a safer and more enjoyable living environment. By starting this journey with the right mindset and support, your family can ensure a lifetime of joy and companionship with your furry friend.

Leah Bennett

01:02 25 Nov 24

Our 2 pups have been having a fantastic time while learning their manners. This has been great for us as it gives our dogs time to socialise with other dogs in a safe space and get some extra exercise.

Becky Steenkamp

05:36 15 Nov 24

We had left our dog Tommy with Pet Resorts Terrigal and had 10 days stay and train with Lee from Canine Evolution, we cannot recommend Lee enough and the Education and care Tommy received was outstanding, 10/10 Service. Thank you Lee.

Susan Chapman

05:15 28 Oct 24

Lee's training has been amazing!! The change in my dogs behaviour (and mine) has made such a difference to the harmony in my home, after introducing a puppy. I'm no longer at a loss on how to ensure my puppas are happy, safe and fulfilled. Lee's guidance, instruction and support has been the driver. I can't thank him enough for his awesome training lessons. I only wish I had of engaged Canine Evolution earlier. Thank you!!!

Michael DAVY

22:41 08 Aug 24

Canine Evolution has been working with my Great Dane for a while now, and we are very happy with his progress. April is very patient and great trainer, and we look forward to working with her into the future. I highly recommend Canine Evolution for all you dog training. Cheers

Marguerite M

00:58 04 Aug 24

I have an OES who was at times reactive to other dogs in public whilst on lead. Walks were becoming stressful and not enjoyable. After she spent time in training I have noticed a massive improvement and was thrilled to see her playing and socialising with other dogs in photos sent to me after every session. The phone call updates, photos and SMS’s were a delight to receive. Thanks so much Canine Evolution with special thanks to the amazing Lee who has been great.The results really do speak for themselves.

JUDY CHEN

03:27 25 Jul 24

My dog is a 2-year-old male German shepherd, friendly and well-trained. One time when we were not at home, some workers who were doing renovations for us accidentally left the door open while carrying heavy materials. My dog saw a person walking their little dog and ran out. Despite all the evidence we provided, the council still declared my dog to be menacing.I highly recommend Canine Evolution for providing very professional Behavioral Assessment for my dog. It is crucial that council officers who in charge such role might need a professional adviser. It is unreasonable to expect a dog to stand at an open door and watch other dogs pass by without reacting.

Susan Austin

22:26 15 Jul 24

Since we have moved from our 1/2 acre yard to a retirement village, my two girls, Rosie (Sheltie) and Coomalie (Parson Russel Terrier) LOVE playing with their friends at Doggy Day Care. It is so nice to know they are happy and have the freedom to run and play. Coomalie is learning SO much from her training sessions too. Thanks to all our kind and caring friends at Canine Evolution.

02:45 03 Jun 24

Steph conducted a private lesson with our puppy at our home and I couldn't be happier. She went through the techniques required to address the 2 areas of concern and took great care and time to teach me properly, whilst being super encouraging. It's set us up to continue working with our pup and improving. Highly recommend Steph and Canine Evolution.

22:15 07 May 24

Lee from Canine Evolution has been training our dog and we have noticed such a massive improvement with him and his behaviour! We always receive photo and video updates which is really nice and helpful too. Highly recommend.

Kevin Summerson

22:53 13 Apr 24

Scruffy, who is a terrier, has benefited greatly from his training with Canine Evolution. He obeys most commands and now walks a lot better on the lead.

09:59 23 Mar 24

Today for the first time I went to Canine Evolution for some much needed training for my dogs, but more importantly for ourselves. We had ''Verity" as our trainer and help with "Lee", great people skilled trainers, this training complex came with recommendations and did not disappoint at all. The detail in training was so clear and calm and in the middle of a little hassle with one of the dogs in a strange environment was rectified so well, with a more settled dog. We went to learn basic principles and got a lot more, introduced to a prong collar and never really wanted to use one because of our understanding, but now trained correctly what a great system to make a safer environment for our large dogs to be able to lead them safer and have better control, they respond well and seem to be rather happy. So glad we went here for the professional training. Good work guys we will be back.

Jennifer Youll

05:12 07 Mar 24

My puppy Teddy of 13 months just finished a week's training with Lee at Terrigal. I am delighted with the results. He was a handful prior to attending but is now a confident, well mannered puppy. What he has learnt in one week is incredible. Lee was extremely helpful with the training tips on our departure which I am finding very useful and getting results! We will be back in few months for another week. Again, thank you Lee and also Tiarne for organising it.

Simon Morris

08:53 27 Feb 24

Thank you to Lee and staff at Canine Evolution Terrigal, they have worked closely with the boys each week to help overcome their nervous and behavioral problems so they can now enjoy doggie daycare with all their friends. Highly recommend.

Lisa Bailey Hamilton

09:34 15 Jan 24

Lee and Verity gained the trust of a scaredy dog (that for its 18 mths would not let anyone outside our family near him) in ONE day. Their calm confidence and competence translated into all of our dog's enjoying their training and time with them so much they almost forgot who we were! 😆

Laina Buxton

08:33 28 Nov 23

Our puppy has just graduated preschool with Tim and it has been a fantastic experience. Very knowledgeable and doesn't mind answering a million questions. Highly recommend!

Jasmine Forman

23:15 11 Nov 23

Wouldnt go anywhere else for dog training. Their staff are well trained, friendly and get results.

Gillian Anderson

01:45 03 Nov 23

Darcy Worne

09:04 11 Sep 23

Enjoyed a one on one session with our 6 month groodle. Our trainer was brilliant. Couldn't believe we could get through so much in such a short time. Thank you.

Samantha Coates

05:51 24 Aug 23

Ziggy, my little rescue kelpie had a brilliant first training session with Tim at Canine Evolution Townsville yesterday. Great instruction, good energy, really helped me to work out my part in helping Ziggy to become the goodest boy and we received a follow up email with more details and what we’re focusing on now. Loose lead beach walk this morning and Ziggy nailed it. Thank you Tim, five star rating from me and a five paw rating from Ziggy.

Brittany

04:08 18 Aug 23

We have just done a handful of sessions with Nina as the onsite trainer for Pet Resorts and we are so pleased with our experience. Nina paid a lot of attention to our needs from start to finish and was extremely thorough with her communication and handover. We felt completely supported with her and we are confident enough at this stage to implement the tools we have learnt at home. Bruno will miss his sessions, I'm sure :)

Milton Samios

06:36 12 Jul 23

My Shi-ba Inu, Leo, stays at Pet Resorts Terrigal on a regular basis. Whenever I book him in I also ensure he is getting some refresher training which is provided by Canine Evolution. They do a wonderful job and im very happy to recommend them. Not only are they experienced dog handlers but they provide a very professional service in terms of training updates. Each week I receive an email which explains what exercises he has completed as well as photos and/or a video which show his level of accomplishment. I can't fault Canine Evolution and when Leo returns home he's got a better temperament and is more engaged.

Cathy Tropiano

09:42 04 Jul 23

LuLu stayed at Pet Resort Terrigal for 7 days & was booked in for 5 days training. Nick Dalton was wonderful with her. He provided video updates of their training sessions plus a follow up training session for her humans which was most helpful indeed. He also forwarded us a summary pack of their training time together. It was obvious from my first conversation with Tiarne that they love & understand & respect dogs & I felt confident that LuLu was in excellent, safe hands. They even had the foresight to room her with one of their gentle older training dogs so that LuLu’s first experience of sharing with another dog was a lovely & positive one for her! I cannot recommend them high enough! LuLu will be back!! Thank you!

Antonia Francis

06:53 04 Jun 23

Our mini spoodle Frankie did a one week stay and train where the Canine Evolution team, particularly Steph, spent their training time taking Frankie through general obedience including preparing for a new baby like walking with a stroller which was above and beyond what we asked for - such wonderful service! We noticed an immediate difference when we took her home after this, as have our friends and family so we are very very happy with the outcome. It was also very hard to be away from our fur baby for the week but the team were so good with giving us little updates along the way that kept us reassured that she was having a great time and enjoying her time there, even though we were missing her so much!Since then, we have continued her training on a regular basis as she has a weekly session with Trainer Lauren when Frankie is at daycare. Frankie just loves Lauren and you can see how much she loves the training sessions too in the photo and video updates that get sent through, and we can see how well she is responding to them through her behaviour as well.Couldn’t recommend the Canine Evolution team enough for all your doggy training needs. They not only get results but actually care about your dog and treat them with love which is very important to us :)

Ariana Van Wyk

12:42 30 May 23

My very excited 2 year old Lab has learnt so much and is very well looked after by the Cainine Evolution team in Terrigal. Their information and communication is great and has allowed us continue her training at home and maintain consistency with training methods. I am impressed with the progress she has made in such a short time.

Ann

10:13 30 May 23

Owning a reactive cattle dog can be a challenge however our trainer, Nina, has made a massive difference to Wally’s training in only a few days. And a massive difference in my knowledge and ability to continue this training. I cannot recommend Canine Evolution training enough!

Briony Nicoll

00:17 24 May 23

We have seen an enormous improvement in the past 6 months for our Rottie girl, Freja, all thanks to the incredible trainers (shout out in particular to Steph, as well as Verity and Nick). Through the private lessons and a three week stay and train, we’ve seen Freja become much more confident in many areas, including socialising with other dogs and keeping focused when walking on a lead. We highly recommend the Canine Evolution team - Freja will definitely enjoy coming back for any refresher training! Briony & Jon

Rikki-Lea Sloan

23:36 23 May 23

We've had great success with the trainers at Canine Evolution and our nervous rescue.Cricket is much more confident in all situations and they also helped us to become more confident handlers.We started with a 3 week stay and train and we now get regular top up sessions when our pup goes to daycare.We received videos of the training sessions with Cricket as well as as detailed notes so we could continue her training at home.Special shout out to Verity for all she has done to help us and Cricket. She has become one of Crickets most favourite humans.We highly recommend using canine evolution for any help you need with your pup.

Samantha Cook

06:12 15 May 23

The private training session i had with my 2yr old Cavoodle today was incredibly valuable. Nick was thorough, explained and demonstrated everything and then had me practice the skills too. He further developed a plan to target our goals and sent additional and detailed information in an email. I would absolutely recommend Canine Evolution.

Belinda Brown

11:44 10 May 23

My girl is Luna and she is a beautiful German Shepard and has been attending Canine Evolution training for the whole entire 3 years of her life and she enjoys every bit of of it, the trainers are wonderful and my girl just absolutely loves them they are caring and have taught my girl to have such wonderful manners

Col Burrow

02:02 25 Jan 23

These guys were great to deal with. Our Labrador Lilly Grace is so full of beans. They gave us great tips and tricks to help with this.On going training is the key to Miss Lilly and they will be giving her another round on our next holiday when Miss Lilly stays at the Pet Resort. It just makes sense and helps her along the way. Thank you Nick and Verity.

Alana Goddard

22:45 14 Nov 22

Thanks Nick for looking after Harley so well for us while we were away.Overall we can see a definite improvement in his ability to keep calmer by sitting longer and ignoring distractions. A few great examples so far have been we were able to do the lawns, including the blower, whilst Harley just sat next to me outside without reacting. The second been we live very close to several retirement villages and nursing homes and Harley has been sitting calmly if we come across one of the residents to wait for his pat. One of the older males even said to me yesterday “he has to be the most placid dog I have ever met, I just want to bundle him up and take him home”. Whoever would have thought someone would say that about crazy Harley!!!He had a great walk down the beach yesterday and his recall had definite improved.Thanks again so much.

Meredith Byrne

19:37 14 Mar 19

My Labrador pup spent a week here to learn some manners. They worked on his bitey behavior, how to walk properly on a lead, as well as basic commands like sit, stay, and wait. It’s obvious that the trainers adore the dogs, and are constantly praising them and rewarding them with treats. I also got my own training session with his trainer at the end of his stay so I could be consistent with commands at home. Whitby loved his stay here, and even though I missed him terribly he was so much easier when he got home. Highly recommended.

Heidi Vasilevskis

09:11 18 Mar 18