Virtually every negative dog behavior, including barking, growling, and aggression, can be prevented or counteracted with proper training. Even if there are still a few slip-ups, any behavior can be modified with the tips in this article. If you train your dog correctly, he or she will be the ideal pet.
When training a puppy to use a crate it is important to take your time and start with only a few steps at a time. Once your dog is accustomed to being in the crate, try closing the door and giving your pet a treat through the wire. Keep the gate closed for short periods of time, and work your way up to longer times. If you notice the animal becoming tense or confused, you are probably proceeding too quickly.
There are a few tricks you can try when attempting to crate train a puppy or dog. Place a treat inside the crate and shut its gate in front of your dog. They will see the toy inside the crate and will want in the crate to get it. After he goes in the crate, reward him with praise and a treat.
The first step of training your pooch should be to assert your control. Be friendly with your dog, but also be firm. Always walk in front of the dog when you go on walks, because this is the position to show leadership.
Verbal corrections must be sharp and direct. Don’t berate your dog with a lengthy speech. Say NO and redirect your dog to the desired behavior. Additionally, you can raise the tone of your voice for emphasis.
Teach your dog all of the newest training methods to keep him in line. Many times, owners feel that since their animals have gone through dog training, they can just forget about it. But pets and humans actually share the same types of habit learning systems; if they don’t practice they will forget! For this reason, it is especially important to hold your dog to a strict disciplinary system.
If you have a focal point for your dog to pay attention to, he will ignore all other distractions he would normally be tempted to watch. With frequent practice, your dog will begin to focus on you and the signals you are giving him instead of other distractions.
Treats are necessary when teaching a dog fancy tricks like rolling over. First, have the dog lay down. Then, position a treat near the floor to one side of him, raise it up and move it over to the opposite side. He will naturally use his nose to follow the treat, thus rolling over his whole body. Say the command, “roll over” when he rolls over. Be patient if they don’t get it right away; they’ll get it soon enough!
It is important to have an appropriately sized dog crate. Do not forget that all puppies will grow up. Pick a crate that will be of suitable size for the adult when the puppy matures. They have to be comfortable moving around inside to ensure they aren’t crowded.
Stay away from training devices such as shock collars. They might not work like they say they do and they cost too much. This is also a negative way to train your dog and might cause them to be aggressive. These methods of training generally fail.
Use your dog’s name often to get and keep his attention. Do this consistently during the first several weeks to get your dog to pay attention to you. Give your dog a relatively short name, preferably one that isn’t likely to be confused with other words.
Primary reinforcement is good to use when training your dog. Primary reinforcement uses something that is inherent for the dog to love as a reward for good behavior. Primary reinforcements include using food as treats and rubbing your dog’s belly. This will enable your dog to learn how to obtain something it is interested in having.
Accidents are a part of training your puppy to go potty outside. Make sure to clean up accidents as soon as they happen. If the mess stays on the area for too long, it can leave a scent behind that your animal may return to in the future to do his business. Many products are sold that will neutralize these odors, so ask about them at your local pet store.
In order for your training to be effective, you have to understand that you’ll need to be firm. You should not be yelling at your dog all the time. Be strict only when your dog disobeys or adopts an attitude you do not approve of. This way you will develop a strong bond with your dog.
A solid training tip involves maintaining an awareness of other dogs during walks with your own dog. Don’t assume you can pet a dog, some of them are aggressive. If you come across an aggressive dog, make sure to steer your own dog clear of it.
Consistency makes it easier to teach your dog how to control himself. Take him outside hourly to do his business. Give him a little praise if he makes waste outside. If you dog has an accident inside your house, do not scold him. He is not yet aware that this is wrong and he is going to learn if you just yell at him. Once your dog drinks or eats, take him out 15 minutes after finishing. Also, be sure to take him outside after he has exited his crate.
Is your dog getting enough nutrition? Dogs are like children in the sense that bad diets lead to them acting bratty and hyperactive. There are specialty foods available for individual dog breeds. You can try one of these if your dog’s energy seems low. Check with your vet about any specific nutritional needs he might need attending to!
What is your dog’s diet like? Like kids, dogs can become inattentive, hyperactive, and bratty when they have an unhealthy diet. 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 the vet about additional nutritional requirements the dog may have.
Does your dog like to tug on his leash? You aren’t alone in this, but it is easy to fix! A good harness can stop the problem dead in its tracks.
It might be hard but you have to be patient when you are training your dog. Your dog is not human and does not speak or understand English. Your dog only picks up on gestures and tones while not understand why you are acting a certain way. Maintain a sense of calm, and take a break if your frustration level rises during training.
Stay consistent when training your dog. Have a list of your commands, and make sure that whomever else gives your canine commands knows these, too. It is also recommended that everyone use the same positive reinforcements for good behavior and negative response when the dog is disobedient. If other people are not following your training program, it can make your dog confused, which will set back your dog’s training.
Anxiety causes destructive chewing. Leave your dog safely crated with a tough nylon or hard rubber toy, and he will have something to work on until you come home.
Never allow yourself to be led on by your dog. You should lead him, he should not lead you. You need to purchase a collar that is made for training your dog, and always get your dog to walk with you when you are out exercising. Keep in mind you’re leading.
Challenge your dog often. Quiz him to see if he remembers the commands, even if you’re already sure he does.
Reward your dog with high-quality treats when you are training him. This is one time you can use something you would not usually give them, like meat.
When your dog barks, pay attention to the environment or activity that causes excessive barking. Having an awareness of the triggers, can help you address the behavior constructively. For instance, if the only time your dog barks too much is when visitors arrive, ask a friend to visit you to assist you in dealing with the behavior when the trigger event occurs.
Introduce new pets to your household with care and patience. Consider your pet at home before adopting a new one. You can boost bonding efforts by getting a new pet that has a complimentary personality to your own.
If you catch your puppy gnawing on an object that doesn’t belong to them, stop the behavior right away. Eventually, the puppy will come to understand which items he is allowed to chew. In addition, he will learn not to chew unacceptable items even if he’s left unattended.
Any issues you are having should not affect your relationship with your dog. Keep in mind that if your dog did nothing wrong prior, then you should be positive when interacting with them.
Try using a crate to assist you in housebreaking your dog. Use a consistent schedule for proper crate training of your dog. Once properly trained, a dog that has been crate trained is less like to have an accident.
Try several different training techniques to discover which one your dog responds to best. An obedient puppy will learn well thanks to positive reinforcement, but a more stubborn dog needs to be punished until it understands you are the leader. If you have been trying one method without success, then you might need to think about switching up your tactics.
If you have a large-breed dog, he needs a big bed on which to stretch out. Large, rectangular beds are readily available, or you can purchase a crib mattress. These are convenient because you can change out the cover and wash it when it becomes dirty. The crib mattresses are also waterproof which means they are highly durable.
Triggers that tend to instigate inappropriate behavior in your dog can be diverted by redirecting his attention. If your dog has trouble around other dogs, consider keeping him occupied whenever the two of you pass another dog whenever you are on your walks together. You will see that your dog will have a better relationship with other dogs if you do this.
When you begin dog training, do not assume you will not be bitten merely because you believe being human makes you the leader. A dog that is not trained may see you as part of the pack and believe he is the one in charge. Make sure you understand alpha behavior well with your dogs. When your dog doesn’t understand your human behavior, even a calm dog can bite you.
With the right techniques, training your dog is easy. Armed with education, patience and the right philosophy, canine training is eminently feasible. Dogs are capable of thriving with the right training.
Make sure your dog has gotten its shots. Training problems can sometimes be related to health problems. Dogs tend to be good at masking their pain. Often, you will not see physical symptoms of illness, but you will see behavioral indicators. For instance, aggression often stems from pain and may be an indication of a medical problem.