Short answer: short. AVSAB says working in many short sessions is far more beneficial than a long one.
What the sources say
AVSAB says many people think the longer you work with a pet the better, but it is the opposite. Your pet will learn faster and have more fun with short sessions. As a general guideline, it says three minutes is plenty long for most dogs, and dogs new to training may need even less. Dogs Trust suggests five to ten minutes at a time, focusing on one behavior and ending with a fun game.
What to do
Pick one thing, train for a few minutes, reward well, and stop while your dog is still keen. See sit, stay and down and training that works at home but not at the park.
Get the right help
If your dog seems tired or frustrated, end the session and make it easier next time.
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Sources
Sources & care notes
Frequently asked questions
How long should it be?
Short. AVSAB says working in many short sessions is far more beneficial than one long session.
How do I structure it?
Pick one thing, train for a few minutes, reward well, and stop while your dog is still keen.
What if my dog seems tired or frustrated?
End the session and make it easier next time. Learning sticks better when it ends well.
How often can we train?
Several tiny sessions a day beat one marathon. Three minutes is plenty for most skills.
