A Beginners Guide To Training Your Dog
Dog owners who understand the responsibility of owning a dog, realize that training is essential. Teaching your dog basic obedience skills, how to follow instructions and proper socialization will assure your pet is both happy and safe. Here is some advice on how successfully train your dog and find a trainer.
You can use a few tricks when crate training your dog or puppy. If they shy away from the crate, try placing a chew bone and shutting its gate when they are not inside. Your dog will want to get into the crate in order to eat the treat. After he goes in the crate, reward him with praise and a treat.
It is important that you also train your dog at mealtime with a specific routine. Feed your dog at the same time everyday and giving your dog fifteen minutes to eat will help your dog remember when it is time to eat. Your dog will soon become accustomed to his feeding schedule and eat quickly.
Give your puppy time to be okay with a crate by taking the training one small step at a time. Once your dog seems to have acclimated to the crate itself, close the gate and feeding him through it. At first, only close the gate for a short time, then gradually extend the time as your dog becomes more comfortable. If the dog shows signs of distress, you may be progressing too quickly.
Make sure you feed your dog healthy food. The effects a bad diet has on your dog extend further than you might think. It can make your dog behave badly and is not good for their health. With the right healthy diet, your dog will be more energetic and eager to please during training sessions.
You should never tether two dogs in close proximity to one another. One dog’s chain might become entangled with the other, which could lead to serious injuries. If a big dog is tangled up with a little one, they may get so wrapped up that air passages are blocked off, and one could potentially die.
A dog will obsess about one thing until you divert its attention. Once your dog knows his attention command, you will be able to coerce him to ignore almost anything.
Be patient when teaching your dog, it will take some time. Repetition is key in training your dog. Some estimate that your pet must hear a command as many as 50 times to learn it. Using the exact same command and remain patient with them so that they can get it.
Try not to reinforce bad behavior in your dog by accident. In basic terms, this means refusing to reward your dog, via attention or treats, for doing any action that you are trying to get them to stop doing. If your dog leaps on you when you return home and you wish to discourage this behavior, you must ignore him and go about your business. Even negative attention from you can cause the behavior to continue.
The first step of training your pooch should be to assert your control. Your dog must understand that you’re in control, so that he knows to obey and respect you. Don’t let your dog control the direction or pace of your walks.
With the right encouragement, most dogs can learn to roll over pretty quickly. First, make sure the dog is in a laying position. Then, put a treat close to the floor near the side of the dog’s head, and gradually raise it over its head to the opposite side. This will cause your dog to use their nose to follow the treat. As a result, your dog will roll over. Say the command, “roll over” when he rolls over. Don’t get frustrated if it takes a few tries, once he learns this trick he’ll be the star of the dog park!
Right at the moment they do the behavior you are trying to reinforce, give the verbal command of approval. “Yes” works very well when said the same way time and time again.
Shock Collars
When you are training a pet you need to speak to them in a even and stern tone. Your tone will indicate that you’re serious and to be respected. It also helps them understand the differences between a sharp punishing tone and a sharp non-punishing tone.
Avoid training devices which are high end such as shock collars. They are often scams and, in any case, are completely unnecessary to proper canine training. Plus, using shock collars could discourage your dog in having good behavior. These tools often do more harm than good.
Begin your training regimen with an easy task for your dog. This will help you to see the progress you are making, regardless of how small or slow it is. It will also ensure that your dog truly comprehends each step of the training process. Your training will become more productive.
Every command should be giving with the same tone and volume. Your dog will learn to recognize your tone and know they should obey. The dog will also know the difference when you give them discipline as opposed to a command.
Get your dog’s attention the same way every time. Use his or her name when giving a command. First, call his name then give him a verbal or gesture command. Dogs tend to respond by name right away and they know that you want their attention.
One command that should be taught early to a puppy is “leave it.” This teaches them to drop something and step way from it. Teaching them to “leave it” will stop them from destructive chewing and coming in contact with something that could potentially hurt them.
Consistency is the key to training. Make sure that others are using similar commands if they are training your dog. When a dog only associates one word with each action, it is easier on him.
Exercise your dog at least an hour everyday in addition to its regular potty breaks outside. If they are well-exercised, then you will have more efficient training. Dogs that exercise are happier and more responsive.
It is important that you teach your dog proper behaviors from day one. It’s far easier to teach a puppy good habits than it is to deprogram bad habits. Never feed your dog from the table, if you don’t want him to get the habit of begging for scraps.
When training your pet, see to it that you get its attention all the time. Start all commands with the dog’s name. Once you call his name and have his attention, begin getting him to do what you would like. Dogs know their name and will be attentive when you speak it.
To enforce positive behavior when it comes to training your dog, be sure that you praise your dog. Smile, get excited and provide them with treats to help them relate proper behavior with positive reinforcement. Just be sure you never reward your dog after a bad behavior.
The most successful training program is lifelong. Just because a dog becomes more mature doesn’t mean it cannot learn new things. If you provide positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors, your dog will continue to be obedient, and when you provide your dog with consistent discipline, negative behaviors are less likely to occur.
When you reprimand your dog by using his name, follow it up with using his name in a positive manner at least three times. Your dog will obey a call to its name and come when you call only if the name is associated with good things.
Use different tones when training your dog. Praise, corrections, and commands need their own tones to help the dog differentiate between effects and causes with both of your behaviors. Commands must be sharp and firm, corrections should be loud and praise should be given in a natural tone.
Consistency is really the key to successfully training your dog. Consistency means not only consistent word choice, but voice tone and the rewards provided for a particular behavior.
Teach dogs a “down” command. This command is useful to build upon, or on its own in emergency situations. A dog that knows his “down” command well can drop to the ground at a moment’s notice in a testy situation, making it a great command to keep on hand for safety’s sake.
A majority of dog bites can be attributed to a fearful dog. This is common behavior for a dog that feels as if he is trapped, threatened, or scared. Do not ever forcefully train your dog. This may have serious negative consequences, such as your dog biting you. Your dog will view you as his leader, and he will seek to please you.
Do you have a dog that pulls? This issue is often faced by dog owners, but is quite easy to fix. Purchase a harness, which can reduce the pull on your dog.
Dogs that don’t like being away from their owners should learn to be comfortable with multiple people. The dog needs to learn that there are other people in the world besides you.
Avoid using punishment as part of your training routine. Try to stop your dog from performing unwanted behaviors, but if he does, redirect him by demonstrating the correct behavior. Training involves positive reciprocation between you and your dog; there is really no place for punishment.
If you are going to deem it perfectly acceptable for your pet to use the bathroom indoors, make a designated area for them for elimination. Put down potty pads in a large area around where they should go, and slowly make the spot smaller until there is just one potty pad left.
Canine training takes time and consistency. It takes consistency and repetition for dogs to learn. Spending even a small bit of time with the dog can show it that you are reliable. Those two qualities are ‘leader of the pack’ qualities!
Never use a tight leash to walk your dog. If you wind up doing this, you give your dog a constant urge to pull. This is not a favorable response from your dog. So, always ensure the leash is comfortable for your dog.
Hopefully, these tips can help both you and your dog enjoy your lives more. Being a dog owner can be enjoying if you just give yourself some rewards. Training, whether done by you or a professional, will make your ownership much more pleasant.
Obedience classes can be beneficial for dogs that seem to be especially hard to train. Professional instructors are available that can address all of your questions and common concerns. Classes can assist you in learning how a dog thinks, operates, and handles commands.