Dogs have a similar mindset regardless of size. You should try to think like a dog and you will have no problem with training. Read on to find out how to communicate better with a dog by using the information that provides some help.
If you want to train your dog, it helps if you can think like a dog. You can easily become frustrated with your pet if they do not learn the basics quickly or not at all. Instead of completely giving up, consider looking at it from their perspective. Imagining the world as they see it might give you a new perspective on training them.
Consistency is key in crate training a puppy. Always give the pup the option to go to the bathroom after leaving his crate. In time, the dog will have the ability to exercise restraint when it comes to nature’s call.
Do your best to keep your dog active through the day. Dogs become bored very easily. Dogs that lose interest are hard to train. If you have a happy, exercised dog, they will listen better. A long walk or a brisk run are great ways to get rid of some of your dog’s excess energy.
Never allow your training sessions to run on for too long. When your dog doesn’t get bored, they’ll be a better training partner. If you want a long session, make sure that your dog has a break in between.
Dogs should never be tied up close to each other. Their chains could get tangled up and as they struggle to get free; there is a good chance the dogs can get injured. If one dog happens to be much larger than the other, the small dog could get tangled to the point that it could choke to death.
Use your puppy’s name often so that he knows to pay attention when you speak. By using his name all the time in the first month of having our dog, he should associate his name with focusing on you. The best dog names are ones that are short and are different from other commands.
The first step in dog training is commanding control. Your dog will neither obey nor respect you if he believes he is the leader of your household. When you walk with your dog, be sure to keep him at heel since you are the leader.
When training a dog, watch that you do not overdo giving the dog treats. Too many treats can really plump a dog up. It is easy to forget about treats when you consider how much you are feeding your dog. This can happen especially when you are training him.
Treats are necessary when teaching a dog fancy tricks like rolling over. Start by getting the dog to lay down. Next, you must hold one treat close to the floor off to one side of their head and slowly bring it up and over the dog’s head to the opposite side. His nose will follow the treat, naturally making him roll over. While he rolls, say “roll over” and repeat this action until he is able to roll over with only the command. Don’t get frustrated if it takes a few tries, once he learns this trick he’ll be the star of the dog park!
Short training sessions are the best idea. About 15 minutes is enough time to train because spending longer than that can irritate your dog and hinder their progress. Once done, praise your dog and play with him for a while.
Refrain from using extreme devices for training your dog, such as a shock collar. They might not work like they say they do and they cost too much. Also, using devices such as shock collars can restrain your dog while discouraging good behavior. These techniques don’t normally work.
What is your dog’s diet like? Like children, dogs can become hyperactive, inattentive and even a little bit bratty when their diet isn’t up to par. There are specialty foods available for individual dog breeds. You can try one of these if your dog’s energy seems low. Your vet should be able to provide advice.
Use an even tone when commanding your dogs. This helps your dog to understand when you are in training mode. In time, your dog will understand what you want regardless of which words you use.
There really isn’t room for error when teaching your dog right from wrong. This means that everyone in the house must follow the same training patterns and always remain consistent. This will undermine your efforts and make you work twice as hard to train your dog.
Whenever the dog jumps upon you, grab its paws and give them a soft squeeze so they know it is not okay to jump on humans. If done lightly, it won’t hurt the dog, but it’ll make them uncomfortable. If you do this, they will not jump up on your or visitors any longer because they will think about you squeezing their paws.
When your dog exhibits undesirable behavior, do not send the wrong signals. When your dog pees on the couch, for example, don’t laugh. This will encourage bad behavior and make training longer. Regardless of how entertaining your dog’s misbehavior may be, you must correct it consistently.
When you’re training your dog, it is important that you understand primary reinforcement. This means you should reward it for good behavior. Rewards can be rubbing a dog’s belly or giving it a treat. This helps teach your dog that he can get exactly what he wants.
Agility Training
Keep tabs on the number of treats you give to your dog as a reward in order to avoid making him gain weight. It is easy to forget about treats when you consider how much you are feeding your dog. This can happen especially when you are training him.
If you happen to be concerned with the dog’s agility, take some time to research various breeds and find the one you prefer. Some of the better dogs for agility training include Shetland sheepdogs, Labrador retrievers, border collies, and Australian shepherds; however, most breeds are able to participate in agility training successfully.
A solid training tip involves maintaining an awareness of other dogs during walks with your own dog. Certain dogs often display aggression, and it can be dangerous to make the assumption that all dog owners have done the right thing regarding training. Try to keep your dog distant from any dogs that seem aggressive or antisocial.
Realize the limitations of an older dog. Older dogs are harder to train because of developed quirks, so it is best to learn to live with those that are manageable. By adopting older dogs, you may face stubborn streaks. You’re likely to encounter some opposition, so it’s best to focus your training efforts on eliminating only the most problematic behaviors. The rest should be negotiable.
Praise is key to reinforcing good behavior during training. Smile at your dog and provide it with treats to assist your dog in associated good behavior with positive rewards. Having these same reactions to bad behavior will teach your dog that whatever they are doing is okay.
If you’re house training a dog, try using a crate. Crate training will work if you let your dog go out on a regular basis and maintain a schedule that stays consistent. Once your dog has acclimated to the crate, he will be far less accident-prone indoors.
Do not give up when you are trying to train your dog. While it may be frustrating at times, if you don’t persevere and constantly reinforce the teachings to the dog, your efforts will be wasted. Your dog requires food, shelter, companionship, and instruction from you every day, throughout your relationship.
To keep accidents from happening in your house, learn the cues that your dog displays. Many dogs have certain behavior patterns that express a need to go the bathroom. If you know what they do before hand you will see that they need to go outside. When you’re deeply in touch with your own dog, training goes more easily.
A majority of dog bites can be attributed to a fearful dog. This happens when dogs feel frightened, trapped, or threatened. Train your dog with praise and discipline, not physical force. The dog’s natural instincts will be to fight back. Your dog will be more likely to want to please you.
The most important step of dog training is understanding how they think. If your dog doesn’t understand you, then how can he learn from you? An individual who has taken the time to learn about their pet is more likely to succeed in his or her training efforts.
If you have a large-breed dog, he needs a big bed on which to stretch out. There are big, long dog beds around for larger dogs, or you could look for a mattress taken from a crib. The latter option has its advantages. You can just rotate the sheets often by using sheets that are fitted to the mattress. Another great fact about crib mattresses is that they are waterproof!