Teach your dog tricks from the pros

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Having a new four-legged family member can be a costly experience. Whether you're caring for a new puppy or an older dog, they all need proper training.

"Whether you want a working dog, a show dog, a therapy dog, you're going to need the basic obedience," said Petco dog trainer Adam Belward.

But having a well-behaved dog can be priceless. Investing time with your pup will ultimately pay off, think no more chewed up shoes or accidents in the house. The good news is that every dog, no matter the age or breed, is capable of learning.

"I think every dog can be taught the basics. Unfortunately, not every dog can be taught the same way because there is no blueprint. So sometimes people kind of give up a little bit," Belward said.

So don't be afraid to pick out an older dog from the adoption agency.

"Dogs are really intelligent, if not more intelligent as they get older," Belward said. "Dogs are capable of learning all throughout their life."

For proof of that, have you ever moved into a new home and your dog learned how to get out the back door? See, they can learn new tricks at any age!

The first command most dogs learn is sit. It's simple, and Belward says it is one that dogs pick up on the fastest. But there's a big mistake that most owners make when teaching it.

"One of the biggest pitfalls is people go right into commands," Belward said. "A lot of people get confused on that. We're not saying sit to the dog, not until it can demonstrate the behavior consistently, roughly 80-90 percent of the time."

What should you do instead?

"It's called the lure and reward. We take a treat, and we lure it over the dog's head, just slightly over its nose, until the dog puts itself in an uncomfortable position. To ease that comfort it puts its butt on the ground. We give him a big yes and we pay the dog," Belward said.

Then incorporate the word sit once the dog consistently performs the behavior.

If you have a food-motivated dog, it may end up showing you its tricks just so it can keep getting a treat.

Once your dog has mastered sit or any other command, there's no more freebies in life. Before you give them anything, Belward recommends making the dog work for it.

"If you're going to give your dog table scraps, that's your prerogative. I don't have a problem with it, but the dog better do something for you," Belward said. "You've got to feed the dog twice a day, so there's two opportunities right there."

Just like people, if dogs don't practice they might learn their new tricks.

"When you're at home you should do at least a few minutes of training a day, and I recommend you keep your training sessions short," Belward said.

If you slack off on the training, then don't be surprised when your dog doesn't do what you ask it to.

"People tell me the dog isn't coming when I call it. My first response is well are you calling it other times?" Belward said. "They say, no I only call it when I need it."

Consistently working with a dog and developing a good relationship will be good for both of you.

"Dogs appreciate structure. They want to please you, and they don't know. They don't speak our language. They can only go off of your attitude and the things they desire," Belward said.