Puppy training may be intimidating for first time pet owners. You can become overwhelmed because there is so much information out there. The tips below can help you start training your dog properly.
If you are attempting to crate train your dog, remember that it is a multi-step process. When your dog appears to be at ease while inside the crate with the door ajar, you can help him adjust to the crate even further by slowly latching the door and rewarding him with treats fed to him through the spaces between the wires. Start off small, like 10 seconds at a time, and slowly move up the times. If the dog shows signs of distress, you may be progressing too quickly.
Proper and generous rewards are critical to training your dog. Knowing when to give him a treat, and how much, is paramount. This is because a dog does not always understand what it is being rewarded for if they do not receive their treat at the right time.
Rewards are essential to effective training. Knowing when to give him a treat, and how much, is paramount. This is because a dog does not always understand what it is being rewarded for if they do not receive their treat at the right time.
Encourage your dog to be as active as possible. Boredom often befalls an inactive dog, or he may find himself in a “mutt rut” with a dull and listless routine. Bored dogs are difficult to train. Your dog will be more relaxed and willing to listen if he is exercised frequently. Go for long walks and runs with your dog.
Look out for your dog’s nutrition the same way you would look after your own. A poor diet is bad for your dog on several levels. It not only makes your dog unhealthy but can make him misbehave as well. Sometimes, it is possible to improve your pet’s behavior and cooperation simply by improving the quality of his or her diet.
Choose a crate that fits your dog properly and use it to crate train them. Keep in mind that they get larger as they age. Get a crate that is the right size for your dog when it gets older. They have to be comfortable moving around inside to ensure they aren’t crowded.
Pick a recognizable phrase to verbalize to your puppy during house training. For example, you could use the phrase, “go potty” when you take them outside to help them remember what to do when you go outside and say the command.
Use a phrase on your puppy to house train him. When it’s time for him to go outside to do his business, say “Elimination Device…Activate!” or whatever phrase you chose to call his attention to the task at hand.
Whenever you’re training your dog, be sure and use the same vocal tone when giving commands. Your dog will learn to recognize your tone and know they should obey. The dog will also know the difference when you give them discipline as opposed to a command.
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 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.
Using different tones for different training purposes can be a useful tool in training a dog. For example, use a different tone when praising your dog than you do when commanding your dog to obey. Commands must be sharp and firm, corrections should be loud and praise should be given in a natural tone.
Training Sessions
It’s important to remember that all of the things you do with your dog are building its behavior and personality. For this reason, you may be causing unwanted behaviors by playing rough with your dog or teasing. You want to really mold your pet by working towards a desired behavior.
In addition to regular walks and canine training sessions, you should make time to let your dog exercise for at least one hour every day. Without adequate exercise, your dog will find it difficult to focus during your training sessions. Keep in mind that a dog that’s been exercised regularly is happier and more responsive to your commands.
Is your dog eating a nutritionally-sound diet? Dogs can suffer from behavioral issues when their regular diet isn’t meeting their needs. Change your dog’s food if you need to. Consult your veterinarian about any special dietary needs that your dog might require.
Make sure you avoid all the accidents you can whenever you’re toilet-training your dog. Pay attention for signs that your dog needs to go outside. Pacing, snuffing and whining are common. Do not wait more than a couple of minutes. Get his leash as you take him out. Praise him for a job well done. They will eventually ask to go outside.
Does your dog like to tug on his leash? There is an easy solution for this common problem. Head to your nearest pet supply store and pick up a harness for just a few bucks – harnesses dramatically cut down on pulling, and make walks enjoyable again!
When implementing discipline with your dog, monitor your tone of voice. Dogs pick up on subtle changes in their owner’s voices. Use a stern voice when you are correcting your dog.
Maintain consistency when dog training. Make sure everyone involved in your dog’s life uses the same commands that you do. It is also recommended that everyone use the same positive reinforcements for good behavior and negative response when the dog is disobedient. Different people rewarding and punishing different behavior confuses the dog and makes it difficult to learn.
Each and every thing you and your dog do together is forming his behavior and personality. It is essential to know this because you might inadvertently undo desired behaviors by teasing or engaging your dog in horseplay. Focus more on encouraging desirable and appropriate behaviors at all times.
In most cases, dogs bite out of fear. A dog will bite if it feels unsafe or trapped. Never use force to train your dog. This makes your dog more likely to bite. By doing this, pleasing you will be one of your dog’s life goals as it will see you as the pack leader.
Patience and dogs go hand-in-hand. Dogs don’t understand English and he isn’t a person. They only understand some commands, gestures and tone. Remain calm and take several breaks if you’re getting frustrated often during the training session.
To succeed at dog training, it is necessary to commit yourself to a regular schedule of training sessions. Dogs require consistency and repetition. Additionally, the very act of spending a certain amount of time with your dog every day will convince him that you are a consistent and reliable person. Both of the qualities are normally shown in the alpha male of the pack.
Be certain you are giving the right signals when your dog exhibits unacceptable behavior. If he thinks you are amused by his bad behavior, he is likely to repeat that behavior. Sending these mixed signals will undo some of the time that you have already invested in training, making things even harder on you. Even when it is amusing, you have to correct your dog, not reward him with laughter.
If you don’t want your dog rummaging through the garbage, make sure he gets enough to eat and that he has toys to occupy his time. Empty your trash regularly, and don’t put irresistible things like bones in it. Crate your dog or empty your trash can if you plan on going out.
It terms of barking, take note of the sorts of things that cause your dog to bark a great deal. When you know what the triggers are, you can fix the problem. If the dog barks at visitors, have people come to your house and be prepared with a plan.
Be sure to take steps to resolve boredom barking. If your dog is barking because he’s bored, then you should be prepared to take the blame. Obviously, the dog does not have a way to release it’s energy. You can solve this problem by playing with him and taking regular, daily walks. When you are not home, you can distract them with chew toys.
When dogs bite, it is usually provoked from fear, rather than aggression. These bites occur when the dog feels threatened, insecure, or frightened. Using fear tactics are never a smart way to train a dog. Your frustrated dog may bite you. He will forever be your loyal companion, and best friend.
Some dogs have specific bad behavior triggers, so distract him during these times. For instance, if your dog reacts negatively to other dogs, you need to keep his focus on you as you come into contact with them. This builds a relationship where he takes his behavior cues from you and your responses.
Consistency is key to successful obedience training, and it is essential that you devote time to training on a routine basis until you are seeing the behaviors you want. Dogs learn best through repetition and consistent training. When you stick to the schedule, your dog will reward you with good behavior. Doing these things for your dog will ensure your place as the pack leader.
Your dog needs to exercise its brain too. Dogs that do not chew excessively can enjoy a puzzle toy to stimulate their problem solving skills. There are various kinds of puzzle toys to pick that can appeal to your dog’s unique strengths.
Sometimes, you will notice that your dog may try to bite you during training. An untrained dog might think that you’re part of his group, and he may think that he’s the leader. Understanding what alpha behavior you need to show your dog will help your dog understand you are the leader. Even the calmest dog may bite you if they don’t understand your behavior.
Often, dogs are afraid of thunderstorms. This can even lead to the dog putting himself in harm’s way. Talk to your vet about any phobias your dog has. Your veterinarian could prescribe you mild sedatives that will calm your dog in these situations. This may be used in the situations where your dogs behavior is uncontrollable during a storm.
It is hoped that you have found some guidance from these suggestions. Throughout the training process, remember these guidelines and you will have created a loyal, lifelong bond with your pet.
If bad behavior suddenly starts, take your dog to a vet to eliminate health problems as the cause. An animal that is in pain is liable to act out in ways they would normally never behave. Dogs can’t tell you what is bothering them so acting out is their way to say, hey, something’s wrong.