Getting a new puppy is a joyous day. The following few weeks are when frustration may set in. You may start to wonder if you made the right decision if things get out of hand. You can regain that first-day joy by training your dog to behave. This article can teach you how to train your dog.
When doing crate training, train your dog incrementally rather than trying to do it all at once. Once your dog is accustomed to being in the crate, try closing the door and giving your pet a treat through the wire. Start off only putting them inside for 10 seconds, and when they seem okay with that, slowly increase the time they are inside. If they get upset, it’s too fast.
Dogs have great focus and can focus on one thing, ignoring everything else, until something breaks their attention. If you keep up with his training, your dog will look to you more often for direction rather than looking to the environment.
Your dog needs to be active frequently. Boredom often befalls an inactive dog, or he may find himself in a “mutt rut” with a dull and listless routine. A bored dog is very difficult to train. You will find that your dog will pay more attention to you when it is exercised and happy. Go on extended walks or runs with your dog on a regular basis.
Never reinforce your dog’s bad behaviors. You should avoid using strips of food or attention to train when you are trying to discourage behaviors. For example, do not pet your dog gently when they leap on you if you want them to stop the behavior.
Teach your dog all of the newest training methods to keep him in line. A lot of times owners thing training is a one time event. But dogs can become complacent just like their human counterparts. Dogs, much like kids, do best when they have limits and rules.
As you start training your dog, establish verbal cues that let your dog understand when they have performed something correctly. A word like “yes” can be an effective bridge between the time that the dog exhibits the behavior and the time that they receive the reward.
Decide on a single phrase that you can say when house training your puppy, and stick with it every time. Each time you let your dog out to relieve himself, use a phrase such as “go potty” so that he associates going outside with going to the bathroom.
Call your pooch by his name to keep his attention focused on you. Make sure to use the dog’s name constantly when you first have him, so he can make the connection with his name and paying attention. A short name which sounds distinct from many other words is preferable.
Never allow your training sessions to run on for too long. The attention spans of dogs can be limited, and therefore it is necessary to keep training segments brief so that the animals do not grow bored and disinterested. If you wish to do more training, give your dog a play break to stretch their legs and relax before resuming their training.
Whenever you go for walk with your dog, keep your eyes peeled for other dogs. Some dogs are more aggressive by nature and it is wrong to assume that it is the result of the owner. If you encounter an antisocial or aggressive animal, make sure your dog stays away from it.
Accidents must be avoided during potty training. Watch your dog and recognize the signs that he is ready for a trip outdoors. They may pace, sniff, whine or walk in circles. When you notice this, do not delay. Head outdoors to the assigned potty spot right away. Whenever your dog uses the restroom outside, reward him or her with lots of praise. Soon, your dog will signal you when he needs to go outside.
When training your dog, it is important to remember to keep the training sessions relatively short. Sessions should be nor more than 15 minutes to avoid frustrating the dog, which is counterproductive. Once your session is completed, give your dog some time to play and praise him for the session he completed.
Does your pet strain and pull every time you put him on a leash? This may be the most typical complaint owners lodge, and it can easily be negated. Consider buying a dog harness at a pet supply store to make walks considerably more enjoyable.
Give challenges to your dog regularly. Even if you are sure your dog is remembering everything you’ve taught him, having him demonstrate with a little “pop quiz” will keep him sharp.
When training your dog, never punish him. Your training efforts should be to prevent bad behavior. Teach your dog what constitutes inappropriate behavior, and what is an acceptable behavior. Training a pet should allow you to teach your pet and connect with him; the process should focus on positive communication.
Has your dog been tugging the leash? Many dog owners complain about this behavior; yet, it is easy to correct. Go to the pet store in your town and get a harness so that you can walk with greater ease.
Early in your training, when your pet does something you want him to, give him a treat. Slowly remove the treats bit by bit and replace them with a toy or belly rubs.
One very good way to reinforce a desired behavior in a pet is by providing a treat after the behavior is successfully performed. Slowly remove the treats bit by bit and replace them with a toy or belly rubs.
Be sure to avoid giving dogs improper signals when they behave poorly. If you think it is funny when your dog misbehaves and laugh, your dog will get the wrong idea. This will delay your training and it could lead to frustration. No matter whether or not your dog is entertaining, you need to consistently correct them.
If your puppy is caught chewing on something unacceptable, stop him immediately. This teaches your puppy what is acceptable to chew, making it less likely that he will chew your belongings when you are not able to watch him closely.
Think about what triggers your dog’s barking. When you understand the antecedent, you can manage the behavior correctly. If you notice that your dog barks even after visitors have arrived and settled in at your home, ask a friend to help you with this behavior.
Training Treats
If you catch your puppy gnawing on an object that doesn’t belong to them, stop the behavior right away. This will help your puppy understand what is acceptable and what is off limits.
If you are training your dog, it is best to use a variety of treats to reward your dog. Training treats should not become confused with everyday treats, since training treats are meant to encourage obedience in your dog.
Consistency is key to training a dog. Consistency must apply in terms of your commands, your tone of voice and the different rewards you offer for good behavior.
When teaching a dog to sit, get to stand, and then hold up a treat above them. Move the treat behind their head and down their back. The dog will have to look up in order to follow the motion of your hand. When dogs look up, they usually sit.
Set your dog up for success when training him to stop chewing inappropriate items. Make sure you keep any of your dogs that chew inappropriately, away from danger; you want to ensure your dog’s safety. Keep items that your dog may choke on put away, including nylons, hairbrushes, and common items that typically are left around the house.
When teaching your dog not to chew on things that are not toys, you should try to facilitate success. Keep dangerous items out of your dog’s reach. Keep items that your dog may choke on put away, including nylons, hairbrushes, and common items that typically are left around the house.
Utilize a method of training known as the ‘shake-can.’ Put the coins in an emptied cola before sealing it. Whenever the dog acts badly, shake the can. Your dog will be startled by the sound and will cease the behavior. After a few shakes, the dog will stop doing anything bad. You should only shake it one time, if done more than one time your dog will not respond to it any longer.
You should not take your problems out on your pet. If the dog has done nothing wrong, then it should not be treated as such.
Recognize the triggers that encourage your dog’s poor behavior and keep him occupied during the times that he is confronted by these temptations. Keep your dog busy if you come across other dogs while on a walk. This will help him correlate the relationship between that stimuli and the positive things that come from it.
Each dog will respond to certain training methods. For instance, a peaceful, quiet dog responds better to positive reinforcement, while a dog that has more aggressive behavior might require negative reinforcement to realize that you are the leader. If you are not seeing the types of results you desire, it might be best to rethink your current approach in favor of something more novel.
Never yell at a dog that is barking. Shouting in response to barking can actually reinforce the barking, as the dog may see you as taking part in the fun noise-making. By shouting at your dog while he is barking, you may very well convince him that whatever he’s barking at is worth barking at. Instead, distract your dog from barking by remaining calm.
If there are triggers for your dog’s bad behavior, while you pass temptation, keep him busy. For example, if your dog doesn’t like other dogs, try to keep him entertained and busy as you pass by other dogs on walks. This will enable him to understand the difference when experiencing that stimuli as good things happen.
Make sure you are aware of any signs your dog shows you that he or she is uncomfortable with something. Don’t put undue pressure on your dog if it’s clear that he’s not comfortable with strange animals or people he doesn’t know. Your dog is making you aware that it is uncomfortable and it’s important that you honor that. If you take them around new people and they do not like it, they may bite them or growl.
There are many elements to dog training; patience may be the most important. Through the tips you have read here, you can move forward with positive training that will create a lasting relationship with your dog. Although changes may take awhile to happen, consistency will lead to happiness, for both you and your dog.
For a healthy, happy dog, you should provide your pet with plenty of treats and activities to keep its mind stimulated. Giving your dog fun toys and treats such as Kong Toys or Busy Bones is a great way to keep them happy. You should also walk them on a regular basis so that they can get out any pent up energy. Any dog who is bored will find a number of ways to amuse himself and spend his time, such as chomping your favorite pair of shoes or digging up your prized botanical collection!