Regardless of whether you have a puppy or an older dog, it makes sense to spend a bit of time training them. And while there is an abundance of information out there about how to train your dog, you cannot go wrong with dog training guidance from the experts.

1.  Positive reinforcement is essential. Even though there are lots of theories regarding how to train your dog, most dog training experts acknowledge that positive reinforcement works best. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog with verbal praise “good dog”, physical praise like a pat on the head and food rewards. It does not involve yelling at your dog, hitting or punishing them.

Positive reinforcement works since it creates a bond of trust with your dog. Dogs are motivated by rewards especially food rewards.

2. Consistency is a must. If you’re working with your dog on a specific skill or trick then attempt to train them at the same time each day. This helps your pet know what to expect. The majority of dogs thrive on structure and will perform and learn much faster if they know what is expected. If you are training using food rewards, try and train your dog before mealtime so they’re a little bit hungry and motivated.

3. Be patient. Dogs often learn in waves. Sometimes they pick things up rapidly then the next day it appears as though you need to start over from the beginning. Be patient. Start each new trick with very small steps and be clear about what you expect. Even with the smallest tricks such as “sit” you will want to break it down into smaller steps.

4. Use hand cues along with verbal cues. A number of dogs have an easier time understanding and remembering hand signals than they do with verbal cues. Assign a hand signal to each trick or behavior you're training.

5. Train in small increments. Dogs have short attention spans. Trying to train them for twenty or thirty minutes isn’t likely to work. They’re likely to get frustrated and lose focus. Instead, keep training sessions to a maximum of five minutes.

At first, you may want to train for only a minute or two until your dog learns to look forward to training. Dogs can learn to dislike training. Keeping the training sessions short will help them learn to enjoy the process.

6. Always end on a positive note. Learning a brand new trick is hard work. Conclude each training session, no matter how frustrating, on a positive note. Always give your dog a trick or behavior to perform that they have learned to perform and end with a food reward and plenty of praise.

7. Keep your dog healthy. Finally, one of the most important dog training tips from the experts recommends feeding your dog a quality dog food, giving them sufficient fresh water and making certain they have adequate rest. A healthy dog is a more content dog and will learn desired behaviors much more quickly.

For more dog training tips, visit How to Train Your Dog.