It has been widely accepted that a well trained dog leads to a better relationship between owner and pet. Dogs that know how to behave in a myriad of situations are great companions. So to make your relationship even stronger, keep reading!
Timing is crucial when you train a dog, so you need to spend an adequate amount of time training them, but not too much. Begin with small sessions and increase the time daily. You can figure out when your dog isn’t paying attention during training.
Stay in control as you reward your dog’s good behavior. Whenever your dog does something right, it’s important that they remain calm. Although you may feel very pleased, control your response to avoid having your training situation become uncontrolled. If you are able to maintain your calm, you can expect your dog to maintain calm too.
Are you house training your dog? If so, then understand that the food and water they consume must come out at some point. To help regulate your dog’s bowel movements, feed him 2-3 times per day. That way, you’ll know when you need to take your doggie out to “go”.
Whenever you’re training your dog, be sure and use the same vocal tone when giving commands. This helps your dog to understand when you are in training mode. The dog will also know the difference when you give them discipline as opposed to a command.
As you progress with your dog’s training, you should begin to give it more and more freedom. Your dog will be happy when he gets rewards for his good behavior, such as freedom. Do not allow them freedom all at once, they might lose what they learned.
Approach an unknown dog slowly and let him smell your outstretched hand. He’ll learn your scent and begin to have trust. After the dog becomes familiar with your smell, he’ll start to trust you and listen to you.
Maintain consistent volume and voice tone over time when giving your dog commands. This will let him know you are serious and he needs to listen. You should also work on developing different tones to use in different situations. For example, you can have a sharp one for disciplinary purposes, and a firm, but not-as-sharp one for simple commands.
Have a good time while training your dog. Playful interaction strengthens the bond between you, and will have your dog striving even harder to please you during training. Training is fun for the dog, but you should set aside some real “play time” as well.
When you approach a strange dog, make sure you approach him slowly and allow the dog to sniff your hand. This will give the dog time learn your scent and possibly trust you. The dog will no longer be afraid after he is able to recongnize the scent and may begin to follow commands.
Primary reinforcement should be used when puppy training. The dog has a reward they love given when they are good. This can be in the form of treats or something that your dog loves to do. This way, your dog learns the right way to get what he wants.
When training your dog, always remember to have fun. You can build a strong bond with dog by playing with the dog, and that in turn causes positive reactions during training. Despite the fun the two of you will have during training, it is important to set aside time that is designated to enjoyment only, with no work or training involved.
Canine training involves a firm hand. You should not be extremely strict or loving all the time. Find a balance on gentle firmness to use with your dog. This will help develop a strong bond during your training session.
To prevent your dog from barking, try to desensitize them to the cause of their barking. Whether your dog barks in response to other dogs, people, certain sounds or something else, it is important to habituate him to this circumstance. This will help your dog understand that barking is unnecessary.
Desensitize your dog to the cause of their barking in order to reduce the behavior. It may be a noise, or seeing other animals or people. Your dog should realize barking in such situations is needless.
Try using a different voice for each different purpose. Commands, corrections and praise should all have their own tone in order to help your dog distinguish cause and effect with his and your behavior. Speak sharply and firmly, and be louder when correcting.
Use your dog’s name when you can, as it will help to get your dog to pay attention. By using it as much as possible during the first weeks you own him, your puppy will learn that this sound is in reference to him. It’s best to stick with shorter names, one’s that are distinguishable from other words.
You should be constantly challenging your dog and re-teaching it the tricks you’ve previously taught it. Provide your dog with fun ways to “quiz” it in order to ensure that it hasn’t lost past training.
Keep notice of dogs that are nearby when you are outside with your pet. You should not assume every dog is friendly; some dogs may be aggressive. If you come across an aggressive dog, make sure to steer your own dog clear of it.
Many canine behaviors are instinctual, so provide appropriate outlets for each of your dog’s needs. Dogs needs include having the proper diet and being able to get a good amount of exercise.
To keep your dog from biting at furniture or people, or scratching at doors, spray him or her with a bottle of water. This will teach your dog that there are certain behaviors that are unacceptable. In short order, the dog is sure to cease such behavior, and assume the role of fun, yet obedient animal.
Whenever you make use of your dog’s name within the context of a reprimand or warning, make a point to then use it positively as well. He should know his name isn’t associated with something bad.
Teach your dog to lay down on command. This is a command that is great as a foundation for other commands, and can also be used alone in emergencies. A dog that understands the “down” command can lower to the ground immediately in a risky situation, so it’s perfect for safety reasons.
If you must reprimand your dog, it is important to do with an appropriate signal or cue. If he thinks you are amused by his bad behavior, he is likely to repeat that behavior. If you do, training will be damaged. Never, ever let your pet feel as if bad behavior has somehow managed to amuse you in any way.
It might be hard but you have to be patient when you are training your dog. Your dog doesn’t understand your language and is not a human being. He will pick up on gestures and tones you give off rather than what you are actually saying. Therefore, make sure you stay calm, and if you discover that you’re too heated during a session, then take a break.
Vary the treats you use as rewards for your dog during training sessions. Rewarding your dog with special treats during training will encourage him to obey the commands you give him. He will begin to look forward to your training sessions.
If you are using your dog’s name to scold him, make sure to repeat it again soon after in a warm and affectionate manner. Your dog must know that his name is something good so that he won’t be afraid to come when called.
As you start the process of dog training, do not make the assumption that the dog won’t bite you simply because you fancy yourself superior. 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. If your dog doesn’t realize this fact, then even the most calm of dogs might bite you.
Consider crate training your puppy. It is important to put your dog out on a regular schedule for the crate method to work. You will have fewer accidents if you take the time to crate train your dog.
Dogs who have medical issues will have to have tailored training strategies. You cannot require an arthritic older dog to crawl or do other stunts a younger dog could do, for example. You can keep your senior dog sharp and alert by providing regular training. However, you want to make sure that you are not causing him any unwarranted pain during these exercise sessions.
Maintain consistency during your training regimen with your dog. You must be consistent in the commands you use, the tone of your voice as well as the rewards you offer for good behavior.
Introductions to new dogs or any other animals should occur slowly and carefully. Consider your pet at home before adopting a new one. Choose a pet who has a personality that corresponds to yours.
No dog should pull you around. You are the one to be leading. Use a secure collar with a short leash when beginning obedience training. Teach your dog to heel when walking, and always pass through gates and doors ahead of him. Don’t forget that you are the boss.
Make sure you set your dog up to succeed when you train it from chewing inappropriately. If a dog chews the wrong things make sure he is kept away from things that can hurt him. Items like hairbrushes can cause a dog to choke or could block their airway.
While teaching an old dog a new trick is certainly possible, you’ll want to be wary of any medical and health issues that your dog may have. For example, you don’t want to have a dog with arthritis to crawl for long distances. Even older dogs can benefit from some good old training. But you want to be sure that the dog does not experience discomfort or pain.
When dogs bark excessively, shouting does not help. Shouting to teach your dog not to bark could be a form of positive reinforcement. This will give them an idea that you do not like what they are barking at. This leads to a feedback loop that actually worsens the barking issues.
A lot of pet owners do not realize that you can easily train a dog and it does not take as much as they thought. Modifying your own behavior can improve your dog’s behavior as well.
Everyone in the family should be encouraged to maintain consistency with the commands used to train the dog. If you use one command phrase and your family uses another then your dog may get confused. If the family can be consistent about commands, training will go easier.