Animal shelters are packed with dogs that owners give away due to behavioral problems. You can prevent this from happening. A well-trained pooch can be a welcome addition to any family. Transforming a dog into this type of companion can actually be easy, as long as you spend the effort and time necessary.
A new dog needs to feel safe and happy in their crate during training. Feed them in their crate and keep it open for them to come in and out. This will help the dog make a positive association between the food and the crate.
When crate training an indoor dog or puppy, you may try some tricks. If your dog doesn’t want to enter the crate, put a chew bone inside the crate, then close to door. Your dog will want to get into the crate in order to eat the treat. Open the door, and praise them when they go inside.
When crate training your new puppy, take it in small manageable steps so the animal can become accustomed to the changes easily. When they are comfy with the open door, try closing it and feeding them treats via the wires. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate, starting with just a few seconds. If your dog becomes restless, you may be ramping up too quickly.
When you start puppy training, come up with a verbal cue that will tell your pet they’ve followed your command. Using a positive word such as “yes” will fill the time between the performance of the desired behavior and the delivery of the reward.
When you correct your dog verbally, those corrections should be short and focused on the behavior. Do not drag on in a rant to your dog about how bad they are. Just tell them no, and point them in the desired direction. Remember that your voice’s volume gets their attention and that you are talking business.
It is a simple task to teach a dog how to roll over, just be sure to keep some dog treats handy! You can have your dog sit or roll over. Next, hold a treat near the floor on one side of his head, slowly bring the treat up and over the dogs head to the other side. His nose will follow the treat, naturally making him roll over. Whenever you dog does roll over, actually say the words, “roll over.” Continue to do this until your dog actually rolls over whenever you say the words without using the treat. Don’t get frustrated if it takes a few tries, once he learns this trick he’ll be the star of the dog park!
A number of repetitions will be necessary before your dog will be able to master a new command. It isn’t uncommon for 25-50 repetitions of this same command to be used for the dog to understand it. Keep teaching it and be patient. The dog will learn in time.
Mastering the “leave it” directive is an excellent starting point for your training sessions. This command instructs the dog to release an object and then retreat from it. 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.
It’s important to avoid inadvertently encouraging inappropriate behavior if you want your dog to learn. Do not pay attention to your dog or pet it if he does something you are not happy about. If the dog jumps at you, don’t rub it’s head.
Primary Reinforcement
When you are training your dog, be mindful of the time spent in one session. Remember that a dog has a short attention span and cannot focus on one thing for too long. Limit the amount of time you train at first to less than 10 minutes.
Utilize primary reinforcement when training your furry friend. Primary reinforcement uses the things that your dog loves as rewards for positive behavior. This may mean giving food items as treats or scratching the dog’s tummy. This teaches your dog something that they desire.
The first step in training a puppy is to make sure he knows his name. Using his name frequently will teach him to respond when called. Your puppy’s name should be one of its first words learned. Spend plenty of quality time with them, so that they know that they can trust you. This will make him more receptive in receiving advanced training in the future.
If you try to fit too much training in all at once, your puppy will get bored or overwhelmed. Puppies do not have a very long attention span and limited energy, keep it brief and positive. If you do too much the puppy will just forget what you have taught him, and remember it in a negative way, it will be harder to help him in the end.
Try to find the triggers of your dogs barking to reduce this action. It might be something they hear or being exposed to people. Your dog should realize barking in such situations is needless.
When you are walking your dog, a good tip in training him is to be alert for other dogs. It’s true that certain breeds or animals are more aggressive than others, and you must also take into account that not all pet owners take responsibility for their dogs. If you see an antisocial or aggressive dog, avoid having your dog be near it.
As you train your dog, have an eye on other dogs when walking yours. Some dogs tend to be aggressive, and it’s not safe to assume that every dog owner is responsible. If you come across a dog that seems aggressive avoid it.
Try to keep your leash loose when you take your dog outside to train. Dogs want to explore new territories while going out for a walk. Because they are so eager, they will probably strain the leash. To discourage this behavior, encourage your dog to walk beside you with a leash that has some slack.
Never give up when training a dog. If you want your dog to behave as trained, it is vital to keep practicing what has already been learned. Realize that training your dog is a daily task, no different than feeding and sheltering it.
A spray bottle filled with water is a great deterrent when your dog is misbehaving. This helps the dog learn which behaviors are not acceptable. Soon your dog will stop these behaviors and you’ll have a playful yet obedient dog.
Does your dog pull on the leash? Many dog owners complain about this behavior; yet, it is easy to correct. Buy yourself a dog harness, which will reduce pulling and improve the quality of your walks.
How certain are you that your pet is getting adequate nutrition in its diet? Dogs who eat crummy, low quality food will show hyperactivity, distraction and disobedience. Find out what type of nutrition your dog’s breed requires and adjust his diet accordingly; doing this will help your dog maintain his energy level. Ask for your vet’s advice in regards to proper dog nutrition.
Why does your dog bark? Understanding the dog’s triggers is a good way to solve the problem. For example, if strange people or animals cause your dog to bark, then you might need to spend more time socializing.
Keep a close eye on what environments cause your dog to bark more. Knowing what triggers the behavior can help you deal with it constructively. If the dog barks at visitors, have people come to your house and be prepared with a plan.
Big dogs need a bed that can accommodate them, especially if they like to stretch and sleep on their back. It is possible to purchase large, rectangular beds that are ideal for big dogs; alternatively, you can get a crib mattress for your dog to lie on. These are advantageous for the fact that you are able to regularly change the cover by using crib sheets. These mattresses are usually waterproof also.
Using a variety of goodies for reward purposes while training is sometimes the best method. Using treats that your dog does not usually receive help to convey they message that your training sessions are special.
Take action against barking that occurs out of boredom. If you have a dog that barks when bored, you are responsible. Obviously, the dog does not have a way to release it’s energy. Spend some time walking him and playing with him. When you are busy, give him chew toys.
Crib Mattress
If you’ve noticed that specific things trigger your dog’s bad behavior, then keep it busy when that thing is occurring, so your dog can’t concentrate on it. In other words, if your dog does not like other dogs, you should keep him busy and entertained as you pass other dogs on your walks. You will see that your dog will have a better relationship with other dogs if you do this.
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. A crib mattress is convenient because you can use a fitted crib sheet as a cover, which can be changed very easily and as frequently as you desire. The crib mattresses are also waterproof which means they are highly durable.
Focus on being aware of the signs your dog gives you about what he does not want. If your pooch is uneasy around new people or other animals, don’t push him. Your dog is letting you know that he is uncomfortable for good reason, and it is important to honor that. If you push your dog, it may cause biting or other undesirable behaviors to occur.
As you see from reading this, having a dog that is in a good mood is all together possible. Love, attention and training are the key components for a well-rounded dog. With the suggestions presented here, you’ll be ready to make a dog into a beloved family member and a life-long companion.
If you notice a sudden change in your dog’s behavior, take him to a vet. Inappropriate behavior is a symptom of some health conditions, as the pain associated with some conditions can cause dogs to go into attack mode. This is your dog’s way of seeking help with a potential problem.