A Beginners Guide To Dog Training
Dogs are one of the most popular pets, but that does not mean they are perfect. Puppies and other young animals can get into mischief, and sometimes they can be destructive. If you want to learn a few tip about training a dog, read on.
When you are using a dog crate in your training, you need to help your dog get used to it as his home. You should put their food in the crate when they eat, but leave the door open. This will help them associate good food to the crate.
Commands and corrections should be short and straight to the point. Do not waste time ranting about how bad your dog is. Just say no, then show it what to do instead. Let your dog know that if you raise your voice they need to pay attention.
Crates should feel like a safe place to puppies. So, you should never use them as a way to discipline your dog. Dogs may need to be familiarized with the crate to feel comfortable and secure in it. There are many tricks that you can try to make it easier for both of you. If your puppy doesn’t like being in his crate, put a dog treat or chew bone in it and close the door to keep him out. They will see and smell the bone and will want you to let them in there to get it. After they enter the crate, be sure to give them love and attention to let them know they did something to please you.
Set a schedule and routine for feeding your dog from the very beginning of your relationship. Training your dog to expect that when fed, once or twice a day, you will be removing the food bowl in 10-15 minutes, will lay down a feeding schedule that your dog will adhere to. Before long, your dog will learn to eat more quickly and efficiently.
When correcting your dog, be concise. Don’t drag on and rant how your dog is bad. Simply tell them no an instead steer them towards what you’d like them to do. Remember that your voice’s volume gets their attention and that you are talking business.
Only reward your dog if they are calm. When the dog correctly follows your commands, you can certainly give a reward. If you are overly excited, the dog will become that way too. Set a good example by rewarding them calmly.
When tying up your dog, make sure it is not close to another chained dog. The two chains could get tangled up. This could panic you dogs as he tries to get free and he could potentially hurt himself. Situations like this can cause dogs of various sizes to cause fatal injuries if not properly monitored. Always err on the side of caution.
Dog Needs
Use the same command for the behavior you want him to demonstrate. Start commands with their name all the time. Secure the dog’s attention and then state what you wish him to do. Dogs listen for their name because they know it means you will say something else.
Your dog needs to be active frequently. Dogs can easily become bored. A dog without interest in what you’re doing is more difficult to train. Your dog needs proper exercise to function to his highest potential. Go for a long walk with your dog.
Treats are great incentives when training a dog; however, treats can cause a dog to become overweight, so limit the number offered. A lot of pet owners don’t think about how much weight their dogs can put on with treats.
Make sure your teething puppy has a bunch of chew toys readily available to him, and keep other things he likes to chew on away from him. You need to replace that with a designated chew toy. If teething is causing your dog a great of pain, give him a frozen washcloth to chew on and relieve the pain.
Make sure that you are consistent when potty training your puppy. If at home, be sure to spend some time with him and bring him outside every 50 minutes. Every time your dog potties outside, be quick to praise him. Never yell at your dog for relieving itself in the house. He doesn’t know any better and yelling at him will not help him learn. Bathroom breaks are required after meals or after leaving the crate.
Consistency is of the utmost importance when it comes to crate training. Shortly after you allow your puppy to exit the crate, he must be given the chance to relieve himself in the designated area. In time, the dog will have the ability to exercise restraint when it comes to nature’s call.
You need to work on the recall of your dog. Your dog must always return when called. Foster this behavior gradually to help the dog learn that it must obey no matter what. Recall can be lifesaving, so make sure your dog learns this skill above all else.
Do not allow your pet to become complacent in his training. Establish a clear set of rules and stick with it at all times. A lot of times owners thing training is a one time event. But pets and humans actually share the same types of habit learning systems; if they don’t practice they will forget! Make sure your dog has a regular routine.
Avoid punishing your puppy when you first begin obedience training. Instead, focus on preventing unwanted behavior. If your dog misbehaves, you should try to demonstrate the preferred action. Training your dog is a great way to develop a positive relationship with him.
Always be patient when you train your dog. This will reduce anger, stress and tension when you train your dog. Keep in mind that they wish to please you; however, they get confused because they can’t understand your language.
Agility training requires a lot of research and a dog who can fit the bill. Some breeds are just naturally more agile than others.
“Leave it” is a command that should be taught and reinforced early on. You can use this command for a number of purposes. For example, it is used to prevent the dog from chewing on something or even to guide them out of harm’s way.
Know your dog’s body language to know when they have go out. Sometimes, a pattern will develop that you will want to get rid of. By taking the time to learn this, you are better equipped to help your dog learn where to go. If you learn your dog’s natural signs, you will have an easier time house training your dog.
Use your dog’s name often to get and keep his attention. Use it constantly in the first few weeks that you have your dog: your puppy should associate this sound with paying attention to you. It is important to use a name the dog easily understands.
Consistency is key with dog training. Consistency is important; always repeat commands, tone and rewards. This is the best way to train your dog.
Keep count of the number of treats you feed your dog because you do not want him or her to get fat. The number of treats a dog gets during training can rack up pretty quickly, and a lot of owners overlook this part of their canine’s diet.
Choose from a range of treats to give your dog as training reward. These treats must differ from ordinary treats, because you want the dog to look forward to getting a special reward when it obeys your command.
Every time you interact with your dog, you’re molding its behavior. This is important to know, because you might undo certain desired behaviors inadvertently by teasing your dog or engaging in horseplay. You will want to mold your dog by always working toward desired behavior.
Dogs should be spayed or neutered around the age of six months. You should do this at the same time you first take the dog to obedience training. You will find that dogs that have been neutered or spayed exhibit calmer behavior and are more eager students than they might otherwise have been. You and your dog will have many more happy years together and your pet will also be healthier.
If you speak your dog’s name in an effort to scold or warn him, you should also try to utter it in more positive ways. Your dog should know that you can call their name when they are happy and mad so they are not always afraid of coming when they hear their name.
Even when you are tired or tense, be conscious of how you speak to your dog. If the dog has done nothing wrong, then it should not be treated as such.
When training a dog, start with giving them a treat each time they accomplish what you ask. Once they understand the process, start using treats more selectively until they are relatively rare.
Every person in your family should know the same commands you use when training your dog. If you mix up commands, like one family member saying “up” when another says “jump,” the dog will have a more difficult time figuring out what you want. The more consistency that your dog deals with, the better it’s chances of being properly trained.
Don’t let a dog drag you around. It’s your job to lead him. When starting obedience training, utilize a training collar along with a short leash, and be sure to heel your dog when you walk and go through gates and doors ahead of the dog. You’re the leader after all!
Train your dog to respond well to vet visits. Use a gentle pass of your hand along their body to let them know that they are being praised when they act correctly. Get him accustomed to being poked at, having his paws examined and teeth inspected in a friendly manner. You could ask the assistance of your friends, too.
Big dogs who like to lie on their back or stretch out need a large sized bed. There are large, rectangular beds available for big dogs, or you could just get your dog a crib mattress. These are advantageous for the fact that you are able to regularly change the cover by using crib sheets. Another advantage is that these mattresses are waterproof.
For a happier and more content dog, be sure to provide it with things to do that will stimulate its thinking and keep its mind active. Some great activities to provide this mental stimulation could be a long outside walk, a favorite bone, or even a peanut butter-filled toy! A bored dog makes up his own games, such as chewing your clothing or destroying your furniture!
Make sure your dog’s check ups are current. If your efforts to train your dog continue to fail with no clear reason for doing so, it may be time to have his health checked out by a vet. When a dog is uncomfortable or in pain, he will tend to hide it. Behavioral changes may be the only way you will know if there is an issue with your dog’s health. For example, an aggressive dog may actually be in pain or a dog that fails to follow house training lessons may have an infection of the urinary tract.
If your dog does not respond well to you during training, you should not get mad at him or her. The dog is the student, you the teacher, and therefore, a failure to respond properly may be a sign that your methods are faulty.
You should not let the love of your pets get in the way of keeping a nice home. Having a dog that destroys things or acts rowdy makes it harder to maintain your home, but the problem is easily solved with good training. You can live happily with your dog if you keep the advice in this article in mind.
Dogs should always feel safe and secure while training them. Insecure dogs are more likely to engage in bad behaviors or to lash out unexpectedly. To prevent any aggressive behaviors, ensure you dog is in surroundings and situations where he feels safe.
