How much time do you usually spend on your phone or PC? We bet it's at least several hours a day, right? In today’s digital age, all kinds of information are accessible to us through various devices.
Since we receive an immense amount of information every minute—whether we’re watching movies, news, or videos on social media—why not use it to enhance dog training?
Training videos are an effective and accessible resource for all pet parents, providing demonstrations of various dog training techniques. Whether you are teaching your paw partner fun tricks, helping them improve their manners around other animals or people, or training them in more complex tasks such as retrieving items, performing deep pressure therapy, or alerting you to sounds, training videos can be very helpful!
Today, we will explore the benefits of dog training videos, various types of videos as well as what you should consider when choosing training videos for your paw friend!
What Benefits Do Dog Training Videos Have?
Visual Learning
It’s usually better to see how something is done rather than just hear about it, isn’t it?
With step-by-step visual demonstrations, you can observe the techniques in action and see how the dog responds. This approach not only makes it easier to understand how to teach your paw friend specific commands, but it also helps you replicate the techniques yourself!
Visual learning is very useful, whether you are teaching your dog simple commands like ‘sit’ or ‘come’, or more complex tasks, including specific service dog tasks.
Variety of Training Techniques
Dog training videos often feature various training methods and styles. This diversity will enable you to observe and try out different approaches yourself to find out which one works best for you and your dog.
We always advise dog owners to use positive reinforcement methods to motivate their dogs to exhibit wanted behaviors or perform specific tasks. Positive reinforcement has become a popular training method due to its clear advantages, not only in terms of training but also as a way to strengthen the bond between handlers and their dogs.
Training videos can provide you with new ideas and perspectives on dog training, helping you enrich your skill set, weigh the pros and cons of various methods, and find the approach that aligns with your values. It is essential for handlers to train their dogs in a way that matches their values!
Convenience & Accessibility
With the increasing popularity of platforms like YouTube and specialized dog training websites, dog training videos have become easily accessible.
This means that you as a pet parent, can watch training videos whenever it is convenient for you. Also, you will be able to learn at your own pace, so that both you and your furry friend feel comfortable.
This will be particularly helpful if you have a dynamic lifestyle and/or do not have easy access to in-person training classes. This could be due to unavailability of trainers in your area; training schedules that do not suit your daily routine / working hours; very expensive services; training methods that do not match your values, etc.
Furthermore, training videos offer options to pause and replay the content allowing you to fully grasp the techniques before applying them to your dog. You won’t need to follow anyone’s schedule except yours!
Cost-Effective Learning
There are plenty of high-quality dog training videos online, many of which are either free or available at a low cost. This affordability makes them easier to reach for a broader audience.
Even if you can afford professional training, dog training videos can be a great resource of techniques that can enhance the learning experience for both you and your paw friend.
Bonding Experience
Enhancing the bonding experience is another great benefit of training videos for handler-dog teams.
By watching and practicing the techniques presented in these videos, you and your paw partner can strengthen your bond. This joint effort helps you both get to know each other better and become more attuned to each other’s needs.
This increased understanding will aid in enhancing your trust and respect for each other, which are essential components of a successful partnership!
Types of Dog Training Videos
Basic Obedience Training
These videos focus on essential obedience commands such as ‘sit’, ‘wait’, ‘come’, ‘heel’ and calmly walking on a loose leash. They provide information about foundational skills that every dog should learn, whether they will undergo further and more advanced training or not.
Basic obedience training helps dogs improve their impulse control, establish a structured and more predictable routine, and fosters better communication between the dog and their handler. Moreover, knowing basic obedience commands enhances dogs’ responses to cues in various situations, making them not only better-mannered but also more adaptable.
Consistent obedience training sessions help establish clear expectations, which, in turn, leads to more reliable behavior in everyday situations, whether at home, in public, or during outdoor activities.
Behavior Modification
Many dogs experience behavioral issues, ranging from mild to more severe. For example, most puppies display unwanted behaviors due to their young age, lack of impulse control, and limited socialization. Dogs who have experienced trauma may also exhibit unwanted behaviors, often out of fear, or may be overly shy and distrustful.
It is important to recognize that each dog has their own temperament and genetic predispositions. Some dogs are naturally friendlier and more social than others. However, this doesn’t mean that behavior modification is impossible!
With that being said, it is crucial to address behavioral issues from a young age to prevent them from becoming bad habits.
Training videos can help you learn effective strategies to address behavioral issues in your paw friend. Such videos often include step-by-step guidance that outline techniques like positive reinforcement, desensitization, and counter-conditioning, which can help reshape a dog's behavior over time.
Additionally, many video resources provide tips on creating a structured environment, incorporating mental and physical stimulation, and establishing clear communication between you and your paw friend.
Trick Training
Why not teach your dog to roll over, give you a paw, play dead and many more? This will be a fun activity for the whole family! Your furry friend will get their daily amount of mental and physical stimulation while bonding with you!
The following article may be a great source of ideas: Easy and Fun Dog Tricks to Train and Bond With Your Dog.
Agility and Sports Training
If you are into canine sports, agility training videos can be a helpful resource for learning to guide your dog through obstacle courses and enhancing their overall performance.
There are videos designed for all skill levels- from beginners to experienced handlers, which will help you find suitable resources based on your experience and your dog’s training background.
With step-by-step guides on various obstacles, including jumps, tunnels and weave poles, these resources can help strengthen your dog’s agility, improve their confidence, and deepen your bond.
Specialized Training for Service Dogs
Service dogs undergo specialized training that features obedience commands, specific service dog tasks based on the individual’s needs and good manners in public. With that being said, it is apparent how complex the process is! It requires patience, consistency and understanding your dog as an individual.
While theoretical lessons are crucial, visual learning with step-by-step videos can greatly improve comprehension and make a big difference in your and your dog’s performance as a team! Why are videos so helpful? It is because they can break down advanced tasks into simple, manageable steps, making them easier for both the handler and the dog learn.
Handlers learn how to teach their dogs properly using simple and clear commands and rewarding the wanted behaviors, while dogs learn what is expected of them.
Furthermore, visual guides enable you to see techniques in action, observe timing, and understand body language cues. This is a great way to combine theory and practice!
What Should You Consider When Using Dog Training Videos?
Choose Reliable Training Sources
When choosing dog training videos, remember that quality can vary greatly.
Selecting resources from reputable trainers /schools is essential for successful training. We advise you to look for dog training videos that focus on positive reinforcement methods, as these are based on rewarding the dog for showing wanted behaviors rather than punishing them for exhibiting unwanted ones. This is crucial for keeping your furry motivated and eager to learn rather than making them scared of potentially negative consequences.
Needless to say, that positive reinforcement can help you strengthen the bond with your dog.
Additionally, a good training video should be clear, easy to follow, and the tasks should be presented in an understandable manner.
Last but not least, reliable videos prioritize the well-being and happiness of dogs, creating a safe and encouraging learning environment. Our paw companions deserve nothing but our unconditional love!
Match Your Dog’s Learning Style
Dogs are individuals, each with a unique learning style. Some canines respond better to verbal cues, while others- to visual signals, and hands-on guidance. It is common for dogs to start exhibiting specific behaviors when they see another dog being rewarded for them. Also, a dog may learn to perform a certain task after they have watched videos of other dogs.
You may be surprised to learn that some pet parents have shared with us how their dogs progressed after watching YouTube videos of other dogs doing the same task!
To ensure training will be successful, it’s essential to pay close attention to how your dog reacts to different methods. Watch for signs of enthusiasm, engagement or frustration, as these can help you find the right approach.
For instance, if your paw friend seems confused by hand signals, try pairing them with clear, verbal commands and / or videos; if they respond well to gentle physical guidance, incorporate more of that technique into your routine.
By being flexible and responsive to your dog’s needs, you can create a more positive learning environment that is tailored to your canine’s individual needs and strengths.
Practice, Patience & Consistency
While videos can be really helpful, it is important to demonstrate consistency and patience.
It is important to set realistic goals, reward your paw friend and yourself for every small achievement along the way and remember that progress isn’t always straightforward! You should not get discouraged if you encounter setbacks during the training. Celebrating any small wins along the way can help keep both you and your doggo motivated.
Be flexible and ready to adjust your training approach based on your and the dog’s needs and progress. This helps ensure that both you and your dog remain engaged and motivated throughout the training process.
Breaking down bigger goals into smaller, achievable steps and showing determination and consistency is far more important than simply aiming for perfection or expecting immediate results. Always remember that training a dog is a long-term goal, especially if you are looking for advanced training.
Structured Lessons
Dog training videos have many advantages and can make the training process much easier for you and your furry friend.
However, randomly watching videos without a clear structure can have the opposite effect—it can bring challenges where there should be clarity. Without a structured approach, you may find yourself confused about which techniques to implement and/or how to implement them, which can lead to inconsistency.
Moreover, if you watch free videos, they may not feature tutor support. This means that there won’t be a trainer to respond to your questions and address your concerns throughout the training. This may cause you to navigate difficult situations alone. Additionally, the lack of personalized feedback may hinder your dog's progress, as you may miss important cues or adjustments that a professional would provide.
While training videos are important part of the process, opting for a comprehensive, well-structured and easy to follow training program with ongoing support can lead to a more successful and rewarding experience for both you and your dog.
