That first day with your new puppy is a joyous one to be sure. That joy can quickly become a huge frustration. As you pick up after your dog, you might regret your decision to have one. The happiness of dog ownership can come back to you through appropriate training. The advice below will help you set out a winning strategy.
When doing crate training, train your dog incrementally rather than trying to do it all at once. First, put them inside with the door still open. When they get used to that, close the gate and give them a treat they like. Start small, like at 10 seconds per approach, and then gradually increase the times. If your puppy gets upset, then you may need to slow down and have more patience with them.
Pick the proper size crate for your dog if you want to be able to effectively use the crate to train it. Keep in mind that they get larger as they age. Choose a crate that works both for puppy and mature sizes. There should be enough space to move around without feeling cramped.
Try to view things from your dog’s perspective. You may feel burnt out if your dog does not seem to be responding to their training. Do not give up! Switch things up by thinking like a dog. Imagining things as they see things may give you a different perspective in training them.
When house-breaking your puppy, choose a specific phrase to use when it’s time to go outdoors. When it’s time for him to go outside to do his business, say “Elimination Device…Activate!” or whatever phrase you chose to call his attention to the task at hand.
A healthy diet is essential for your dog. A poor diet is bad for your dog on several levels. Not only is this bad for their health, but it can influence their behavior towards you and their environment. Something as easy as proper nutrition can make a dog more obedient.
Use an even tone when commanding your dogs. Your tone conveys seriousness to the dog and the fact that they must obey you. Good consistent tones also let your dog know when tones are sharp for discipline or for a command that is not punishment.
Don’t reinforce your dog’s negative behavior by accident. Don’t ever reward a dog that is behaving badly. For instance, if you are trying to train your dog to not jump on you, you shouldn’t be petting them whenever they do so.
If your pet is prone to jumping onto your lap, you should gently squeeze his paws after he does so. This communicates that the behavior is unacceptable and should be avoided. This will not hurt him, but it is quite uncomfortable. After some time, they won’t jump on anyone because they’ll associate it with being made to feel uncomfortable.
It is best to pick a phrase for potty training your dog, and use it consistently. When you take your puppy outside, say “go potty” to them so they will eventually associate the phrase with going to the bathroom outside.
Make sure training periods are short in duration. Your dog’s memory and attention span is short, keep the training this way. If you desire to do a lot more training, be sure to give your dog breaks in between training sessions.
As your dog progresses in training, you can provide more freedom. The right balance of training, obedience and freedom ensures your dog has an enjoyable life. Be sure not to give them too much since this can counteract training efforts.
Use positive reinforcements when training your dog. Use petting, positive words, and occasion treats to reward your dog whenever he does something good. Don’t ever hit your dog or yell at them! Not only does it not work, it encourages the belief by the dog that you have no idea what is going on. To get the best results from your canine training, you need to be firm and consistent, staying positive at all times.
When giving commands to your body, your tone and volume level should remain the same. This tone tells the dog that you mean business and that they need to obey. It also helps them understand the differences between a sharp punishing tone and a sharp non-punishing tone.
Avoid letting your dog have accidents when potty training. Watch your pet to identify his unique behaviors and signals that indicate when he must relieve himself. It’s common for them to snuffle, wise and pace when they have to go. If you see your dog doing this, take action immediately. Quickly leash your pet and lead him to an area where he can relieve himself. Give him praise for proper toilet behavior. With some time, your dog will be able to tell you when he needs to go outside.
You should train your dog to walk properly on his leash. The safety of both of you while out walking is paramount, and the proper training will ensure this.
There must be equal amounts of love, dog treats and patience when training a dog. The tips you just read will help you establish a positive relationship with your dog. It will take some time, but having consistent training will make a happier home environment for you both.
Every day, try to allow your pet to have an hour or so of exercise. This is on top of regular training lessons and restroom breaks. When your dog gets adequate exercise, he can be trained more effectively and it can bring out your dog’s good behavior. Fit dogs are happy and responsive to you.