It can be overwhelming to train any dog, but especially puppies. Training your dog not only benefits you, it also helps to keep your dog safe. It is important that you use only positive training methods. It is imperative that you are very patient and practice consistency. You should find time every day to train your dog in the beginning; you might have to dedicate a half hour until they get it. you might find that your dog will get bored if you spend too much time on training.
When your dog behaves well in a training session, reward him in a calm manner. When your dog responds to a command in the right way, you should reward this behavior when he is calm. Don’t let your own excitement get your dog excited or they will lose focus. Act calmly, expect calmness, and then appropriately reward the dog.
When using a crate to train your dog, you’ll want to make sure that you select the right size. Keep in mind that puppies grow up. You need a crate that can still fit the puppy once it becomes a dog. The ideal size would be one that doesn’t make your dog crowded when turning around or laying down.
If you house train your puppy, keep in mind that everything that goes in is eventually coming back out. You can promote consistency and regularity by feeding your pet on a firm schedule two or three times daily with only the highest quality of food. This way, you will have a good idea of when your pup needs to go out, so that there is less of a chance that an accident will occur.
Try not to reinforce bad behaviors from your dog. This means denying your dog treats and praise whenever it misbehaves. If the dog jumps at you, don’t rub it’s head.
“Leave it” is a command that should be taught and reinforced early on. This will help prevent them from chewing on your furniture or other items, as well as prevent them from having dangerous items in their mouths.
Training your dog to start rolling over is easy, but be sure to have some treats. Initially, try to get your dog to lay on the floor. The next step is to hold a treat close to the floor by the dog’s head then continue to move the treat over his head until you reach the other side. He should follow the treat with his nose, causing him to roll his whole body over. Say the command, “roll over” when he rolls over. Never become frustrated if it does not happen right away. Once he does learn how, he will be a celebrity among other dogs.
While training your dog, make sure both of you are having fun. A sense of play brings you and your dog together. This bond makes the dog more responsive to your commands and training him easier. While training can be fun, try having play time with your dog every day for a period of time.
Have a treat prepared for rewarding your dog when they follow a command properly. You want to make sure that your dog understands that he has accomplished a good thing. This can establish right from wrong quickly and efficiently.
Training should be completed in small spurts. Because dogs do not have a long attention span, short lessons will keep them from getting bored. If you do have long training sessions, break it up so your dog can rest a little bit.
Be patient when training a dog. This will prevent both you and your dog from getting angry and frustrated with the training process. Your dog wants to do what you ask him to, but you have to give him the commands in a way in which he understands what is expected.
Never stop training your dog. Puppy’s aren’t the only dogs that can learn. By continually reinforcing desired behaviors, your dog will continue to behave appropriately.
Teach your dog no response is needed for the word ‘no’. Stick to positive training methods, as they can help the most. Dog’s often don’t get the meaning of words like “no.” Every dog and every situation is different. This means that their training must be tailored accordingly.
Let your dog get used to triggers that make them bark to reduce the behavior. Maybe it’s a specific sound, or perhaps it’s being near other people or certain animals. Your dog can learn he doesn’t have to bark.
Use positive reinforcement when puppy training. Rewards include treats, kind words and physical touch. Do not shout or strike the dog. This is not a particularly effective form of training. Firmness, positivity and consistency are the keys to solid training your dog.
Silence your dog’s excessive barking by teaching them a silencing command. Present the dog with a treat and say the command, stopping only when the dog ceases to bark. At this time, give the treat to your dog. Eventually they will stop barking altogether as a result of the positive association.
To make sure your dog pays attention to you, you should use its name as often as possible. By using it as much as possible during the first weeks you own him, your puppy will learn that this sound is in reference to him. A short name which sounds distinct from many other words is preferable.
Challenge your dog to try new things and maintain the old things. Quiz him to see if he remembers the commands, even if you’re already sure he does.
Never, ever reward your dog for bad behavior so that you can quickly stop it. The dog will only learn that it is the boss. When a dog barks, never reward it, for example.
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. Dog’s should associate their name with positive things only.
If you are traveling with dogs, make sure to pack everything that your dog needs to eat, sleep and use the bathroom. When you come prepared with plenty of supplies, you will be able to enjoy your trip. Do not fret about food for your dog, you can buy it wherever you are.
During your training sessions, you should always reward your dog immediately after he performs the desired behavior. Once your dog gets used to following your command, then only reward your dog half the time. Gradually reduce the amount of treats you give your dog until they only receive one on occasion.
If you’re interested in your dog’s agility, it’s a great idea to pick a dog that’s suited for it. Most dogs can perform agility, but some breeds are more competitive such as collies, sheepdogs and Australian shepherds.
There are numerous resources available to assist you in developing a successful training program for your dog. Seek out other pet lovers who have experience with your dog’s breed; they will be able to offer insight into the specific breed. Modify the method of training to suit your specific needs.
Older Dog
When teaching a dog to fetch, make sure to establish your role as the leader by having him/her bring the ball directly to you each time. When you go to get the item being fetched, your dog will think he’s the boss. Have the dog bring you the item or else you’ll stop playing with him and you’ll be the leader of the pack again.
Keep in mind the limitations of an older dog. An older dog will never be able to be trained perfectly. They all have little quirks that you should learn to embrace! Many older dogs already have developed behaviors that seem impossible to break. Although you may be able to teach an older dog new habits, there may be some habits that cannot be changed.
Always take your dog to the vet on a regular bais. 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. Sometimes, dogs will mask discomfort, making it hard for you to tell how they are feeling. It is often the case that behavioral symptoms are the only indication of a health problem. For instance, aggression can be caused by pain, and a sudden increase in bathrooming accidents can be a sign of a UTI.
Crate training is an effective way to house train a dog. To make training more effective, consistency is the key. Once properly trained, a dog that has been crate trained is less like to have an accident.
When you are training your dog, bad behavior needs to be discouraged. Make sure your correction is spoken firmly, and with authority. Yelling at or hitting your dog is never acceptable. Make sure you correct the bad behavior immediately or as soon as you can after it occurs. A dog has a short memory. If you don’t correct the behavior immediately after it happens, your dog will not understand what you are doing.
Learn how your dog communicates in order to prevent it from having accidents. Dogs have specific patterns as it pertains to bathroom routines. If you can learn this specific pattern, then you can immediately allow your dog to go out. Doing this will cause your dog to act more appropriately. When you know what your dog does, you’ll be able to react to the signs quicker.
Your dog should be happy with everyone in your home so he does not suffer from separation anxiety. The dog needs to develop relationships to other people so its unhealthy fixation on you can start to diffuse.
If you have a large dog, and he likes to stretch out, get the dog a big bed. You could buy your dog a big, rectangular bed, or another alternative might be a crib mattress. A crib mattress has advantages; one being that you can use crib sheets and then change them as needed. Plus, your dog’s new bed will be waterproof!
Prepare your dog in having veterinary examinations. Use a gentle pass of your hand along their body to let them know that they are being praised when they act correctly. Prepare your dog to accept someone handling his paws or looking at his teeth. Consider recruiting a friends help, too.
Don’t have unrealistic training expectations for aging or ill dogs. If your dog is affected with a physical disorder, they may not be able to engage in physical activity. Training may actually improve a dog’s mind functions, and that can be great for old dogs. That said, don’t overdo it and cause them any discomfort as you exercise them.
Keeping your dog mentally stimulated is a major part of ensuring that it is both healthy and happy. Long walks through the woods or park should happen frequently as should playful interactions with a variety of toys. If not given appropriate stimulation, a bored dog will find ways to occupy himself, like chewing up furniture, clothing or drywall!
If you use the tips found here you will see that you will not be so overwhelmed. This will help keep your property, your pet and others safe. If you use the training tips found here, you are sure to have success in training your dog, particularly if you remain consistent and are patient.
To ensure your training sticks, everyone in your household needs to treat your dog the same way you do and use the same training methods. Dogs will learn quicker from training that has all people treating them the same way. If people who are involved with the dog each have different methods of treating the dog, it will become confused.