It can sometimes be frustrating to train a dog, particularly at first. However, by learning from the following information, you can teach your dog to be well behaved and obedient.
Your dog needs to lead an active lifestyle. Dogs get bored just as easily as children. A bored dog is very difficult to train. Your dog is going to be a lot more attentive when it has received enough exercise. Take your dog on long walks or runs.
When you are using a dog crate in your training, you need to help your dog get used to it as his home. You should put their food in the crate when they eat, but leave the door open. This creates a positive association between good food and their new crate.
Try to mistakenly avoid reinforcing any behaviors that are unwanted when doing dog training. Thus, you must not reward the dog if it does something you are working to stop. If they jump on you, don’t pet them, for example.
When using a crate to train your dog, you’ll want to make sure that you select the right size. Remember, puppies grow up. Get a crate that is the right size for your dog when it gets older. The crate should be big enough for the dog to turn and lie down comfortably without feeling cramped.
To strengthen your training efforts, you can use a designated verbal command to help your animal understand what your expectations are and when they have been fulfilled. Even a simple monosyllabic spoken ‘yes’ can help the dog to connect the desired behavior with the imminent reward.
Teach your dog all of the newest training methods to keep him in line. Many owners believe that once training is over, the dog will be set for life. That’s not a good idea, since animals and humans form and retain habits in a similar way. Therefore, it is vital that your dog follows an established rule system at all times.
It is easy to train a roll with treats. First, make your dog lay down. Next, hold the treat close to the floor near its head, and bring it up over the dog’s head as you place it on the other side. He should follow the treat with his nose, causing him to roll his whole body over. Upon seeing him roll over, issue the command. You can then repeat the command to the point where he rolls over without the added incentive of a treat. Be patient while he masters this trick. He will be a star once he does!
Refrain from using extreme devices for training your dog, such as a shock collar. Most of the time these don’t function as they should and can cost quite a bit of money. In addition, shock collars and some similar items can actually discourage your dog from practicing good behavior. These methods of training generally fail.
One command that should be taught early to a puppy is “leave it.” This teaches them to drop something and step way from it. This basic command is extremely helpful when your dog is chewing on something he shouldn’t and also helps to keep him away from dangerous items.
As you train the dog, patience is essential. Patience is the best way to keep your dog from becoming confused and for you to remain calm. Keep in mind that they wish to please you; however, they get confused because they can’t understand your language.
Pay attention to how much time you spend training in one session. If you try to focus for a long period of time on one command, your dog will show signs of boredom and begin to get antsy. Training sessions should be limited to about 10 minutes of time or less.
When you are in the initial stages of training your puppy, teach him his name first to help create a bond. Simply start by calling his name as often as possible. Once he learns his name, you can encourage him to come to you when called. It is a good idea to have your puppy learn these words first. Spending lots of time will create a strong bond with your puppy, and will lead to unbreakable trust. The puppy will be more open to more training down the line.
Primary reinforcement is the most popular way to train a dog. Primary reinforcement uses the things that your dog loves as rewards for positive behavior. It could be a treat, a toy or even a rub with some kisses. By doing this method of training, your dog will learn that in order to get what they want, they must do what you want.
Alter your tone when speaking to your dog during your training. Praise, corrections, and commands need their own tones to help the dog differentiate between effects and causes with both of your behaviors. Stay firm and loud when you are trying to get your dogs attention, so that they become familiar with your authority.
Use the same command for the behavior you want him to demonstrate. Start commands by using his name. Give a simple command after beginning with the dog’s name. Dogs usually respond to names immediately and they know you need them to be attentive.
Make training fun for you and your dog. Keep the sessions between 10-15 minutes, as this is about the attention span of most dogs. Reward quickly and consistently. Make sure to praise your dog when he does something right. You and your dog should both enjoy training.
Pay attention to other dogs while walking your canine companion. There are irresponsible dog owners and dogs who feel they need to be in charge to make up for this. This is a bad combination. If you come across an aggressive dog, make sure to steer your own dog clear of it.
You must concentrate on developing your dog’s recall. Your dog has to learn to come to you, regardless of the situation. Always reinforce this behavior and introduce it in all kinds of new environments. Training on proper recall can be time consuming, but it is essential and potentially life-saving for your dog. Don’t skimp on training in this area!
Remember that all of your training will mold the personality of your dog. This is crucial to know because you may undo certain behaviors by engaging in horseplay or by teasing your pet. Focus more on encouraging desirable and appropriate behaviors at all times.
Dog Barks
You should use the name of your dog as a positive reinforcement more often than you use it as a reprimand. Dog’s should associate their name with positive things only.
When it comes to barking, be aware of the environment or activities when your dog barks excessively. If you are aware of what causes your dog to bark, you can more easily address the issues. 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.
Consistency is one of the keys to successful dog training. Have a strict list of command words that you always use, and make sure that anybody that associates with your dog knows the command words as well. Be certain that everyone understands what constitutes good behavior and what constitutes bad behavior. Make sure that responses to these behaviors are uniform. Different people rewarding and punishing different behavior confuses the dog and makes it difficult to learn.
Dogs generally bite because they are afraid of something. It is a natural reaction to the dog perceiving a threat. Force is not necessary to train a dog, and should never be used. Doing so may result in injury to you. A puppy is expecting you to be the leader of his pack and is anxious to please you.
Scold your puppy for chewing your belongings right away. This will help your puppy understand what is acceptable and what is off limits.
Keep your dogs out of the trash by feeding them well and giving them a lot of toys. You can also curb such behavior by emptying the trash often and putting savory leftovers in a separate, sealed bag. Put your dog in its crate or empty your trash before you leave your dog alone.
Learn your dog’s body language. Most dogs do the same things when they need to urinate. Discovering the pattern can allow you to get the dog outside in a timely fashion, thus reinforcing desired behaviors. Being in sync with the natural tendencies of your dog will make house training much easier for both of you.
Use good quality treats when training your dog for best results. It can even be an extra special treat you would not usually give your dog such as real bacon, hotdogs or even cheese.
Remember that you are in charge when you are walking your dog. You have to be the leader. 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. Remember, you’re the leader!
When considering the possibility of hiring a professional to work with your dog, look into their background, reputation and conduct an in depth interview with them. Animal behavior specialists have different methods and opinions in regards to canine training, so make sure that you and the professional are on the same page before you hire them.
If you are going to play fetch the ball with your dog, establish that you are the master by not moving and waiting for your dog to bring the ball back to you. If your dog places the ball someplace else and you make the effort to pick it up, you are showing that your dog is in fact the leader. Your dog will eventually understand what you expect, always bring the ball back to you and respect you.
Some dogs get scared of thunderstorms and they think that they are in danger. Talk to your vet about any phobias your dog has. The vet might suggest mild sedatives that can be given to the dog prior to a storm. You should only medicate a dog that cannot be helped through behavior modification alone; however, when used properly, medication can dramatically improve your pet’s quality of life.
If you notice any behavioral problems pop up out of the blue, you should take your dog to the veterinarian to make sure that there are no health issues causing it. 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 behavior may be his way of telling you that there is something wrong with him.
Now that you have this knowledge, you can shape your dog into a calm, obedient animal that will delight your entire family. Apply any of these ideas that you can in the near future and witness the results.
Your dog needs to be mentally stimulated just like a human does. Chew toys with a treat inside and walks in new areas will excite your dog by providing novelty and challenge. A bored dog makes up his own games, such as chewing your clothing or destroying your furniture!