Most kids want a pet, especially a cute puppy, but often it ends up with the parents taking charge of walking and training. By getting kids involved with training, you can teach them about patience, empathy and responsibility at a young age. It may seem daunting and stressful, but training can be lots of fun with the kids and teach them new skills about pet ownership which will stick with them for years to come.
Here are some of our top tips for getting children involved with residential dog training.
1. Give kids their own commands
Give them the responsibility for one or two commands, such as sit, roll over, here and lie down. These are simple commands that dogs can pick up quickly and are plenty of fun! By giving kids these specific commands, you can focus on other areas of training. It’s also a great opportunity for you to spend individual time with your children and pet.
2. Hire a trainer or join a course
Take some family time together to train your dog with a professional. There’s supervised time with your pet and by getting your kids involved, they’ll feel like an important part of the training. A trainer may also be able to help you set the foundations of training, making it easier for your kids to pick up rather than starting from scratch. They’ll also be able to give you tips and tricks so your pet can follow commands with ease.
3. Consistency is key
When it’s just an owner and dog, training is much easier. But when there are more people in a household, making sure your training stays consistent is key to effective training. Encouraging good pet behaviour in your kids is just as important! Praising your children for a good training session or everyday behaviour reminds them that they’re also responsible for training and will encourage them to stay on course.
Want to learn more? Or find a course or trainer that works for you and your family? Get in touch with our team and use our website to discover residential dog training for your pets.
