All dogs need to be trained. They need to learn things that they should do and they need to get rid of habits that they shouldn’t do. Read on for some ways to get started training your dog.
It takes a while for a dog to get comfortable in a crate. Don’t take it too fast; introduce the dog at his own pace. Once they have grown accustomed to being in the crate with the gate open, try closing the gate and feeding them small treats through the crate. At first, only close the gate for a short time, then gradually extend the time as your dog becomes more comfortable. If your dog becomes restless, you may be ramping up too quickly.
Reprimands should be delivered quickly and in a sharp tone. Do not whine and complain to your pet about their bad behavior. Be firm and get them to do your bidding. When speaking to your dog, use a voice that commands respect.
Give your puppy with lots of chewable toys, otherwise he might alleviate his teething pain on your nice furniture. Replace the item immediately with one of the dog’s own chew toys. If your puppy is in a lot of pain due to teething, a frozen wet washcloth is ideal for him to chew on.
When using a crate to train your dog, you’ll want to make sure that you select the right size. Your little puppy will get bigger, remember! Choose a crate that is sure to be the right proportions for the adult dog you will eventually have. At full size your dog should be able to move around without feeling too constricted.
The rule of thumb with puppies and house training is to remember: what is eaten will pass. You can promote consistency and regularity by feeding your pet on a firm schedule two or three times daily with only the highest quality of food. This will help you figure out when the best time is to take your dog out and avoid accidents.
Modify and update your dog’s training as necessary, so he remains in compliance with the rules. Many owners believe that once training is over, the dog will be set for life. Some dogs will revert back to negative behaviors if the training does not continue. This is why on-going training is important.
Teaching dogs to roll over can be easy, provided some treats are on hand. You can have your dog sit or roll over. Then, put a treat close to the floor near the side of the dog’s head, and gradually raise it over its head to the opposite side. Ideally, your dog will use his nose to follow the treat, rolling his whole body in the process. Say “roll over” as you perform the maneuver. It will probably take multiple attempts, but you will be the talk of the town when the trick is learned.
Make sure you are having fun when you are training your dog each day. When you play with your dog, it strengthens the bond between you and them, thus encouraging the pet to stay positive during training. In addition to your daily training sessions, take time out for simple play. Make this uncomplicated and fun for your dog.
As you progress with your dog’s training, you should begin to give it more and more freedom. If you can instill a healthy sense of obedience with an appreciation for your love, you and your dog are guaranteed to enjoy your time together. Do not allow them freedom all at once, they might lose what they learned.
Training Sessions
Prior to training your puppy, make a bond with your dog by teaching him what his name is. Call him using his name and teach him how to respond when called. These are the first few commands your new puppy needs to learn. Spend a lot of time with him or her so that trust can be established. This helps to build a relationship that will make it easier to train your puppy.
Keep training sessions short. Your pet probably lacks a generous attention span, making it more likely that he will thrive on brief training sessions. If you want a long session, make sure that your dog has a break in between.
Use a steady and commanding tone when speaking to your dog. Dogs are very empathic to their trainer’s emotions. Talking sternly is a good tone when you are teaching discipline.
When you begin training your puppy, create a bond with him by first teaching him his name. Always refer to your dog by his name, and begin teaching him to come anytime it is called. You should make sure your puppy learns their name and knows to respond to it. Be around your puppy a lot, so he knows to trust you. This way, you will find future training to be infinitely easier.
Use a spray bottle filled with water to prevent your dog from doing things it should not do, such as scratching the furniture or biting. This helps the dog learn which behaviors are not acceptable. If this method is successful, you will get these negative behaviors under control and be able to enjoy your dog.
It is important that you teach your dog proper behaviors from day one. Bad habits are hard to break, so start training your dog early. If you do not want the dog to beg for table scraps, then never give it any food from the table to start with.
Praise your dog often when training him. Smile, get excited and provide them with treats to help them relate proper behavior with positive reinforcement. Just be sure you never reward your dog after a bad behavior.
Use different tones when training your dog. Giving a command or correcting a negative behavior requires an authoritative tone, while praise can be softer. You should use a firm tone of voice for your commands, a loud tone for your scoldings, and a natural, pleasant tone for your praise.
One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is to not give up. Without reinforcement, your dog will revert to his old behaviors. Taking care of your dog must include instituting a training plan, as well as meeting his food and shelter needs.
If you are leash training a puppy, put the collar on him in advance of training. It is important that your pup gets used to wearing the collar so that it can use a leash correctly and so that it has proper ID tags in case it gets lost.
Is your dog getting the food he needs? Like kids, dogs can also act out if they are not eating well. Alter your dogs diet to make sure they are getting proper energy during the day. Ask your vet to recommend the appropriate diet for your dog’s age, breed and activity level.
Bringing dogs on a trip means bringing all their supplies, too. You should take their bed, bowls, and things to clean up after them. Items like food can be left at home. Simply purchase some when you reach your destination.
Your dog should always be able to identify which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. Everyone in your house needs to enforce these strict rules. You must be consistent with dog training.
Consistency is key when housebreaking your dog. When you are at home, spend time with your dog and take him outside every hour. Give him praise when he goes to the bathroom outside. If you dog has an accident inside your house, do not scold him. He doesn’t know better yet and punishment would serve no purpose. Take your dog out soon after meals and after coming out of the crate.
Destructive chewing is often a result of anxiety. Putting your dog in his crate with a chew toy will reduce the chance of destructive events and give him something to do while he waits for you.
“Down” is an important command for dogs to learn. This is a command that is great as a foundation for other commands, and can also be used alone in emergencies. By teaching your dog the command “down,” you can ensure his safety in the event of an emergency.
Be conscious of your dog’s needs, and allow them to act like a dog. Make sure your dog is properly fed, given a comfortable corner or bed to sleep and has a good place to run and be active.
Make use of a crate when training your dog. Crate training is most effective when you allow your dog out using a consistent schedule. A dog trained in a create will have less accidents with time.
Using a variety of goodies for reward purposes while training is sometimes the best method. Make the training treats extra special so they won’t confuse them with normal treats. Making the treats special and unusual will help your dog obey your commands faster. They understand they are getting something special and will work harder for it.
Crib Mattress
When your dog is six months old, have it spayed or neutered. This should be done at the same time you start obedience training. Not only does spaying or neutering make a dog a better overall pet, it makes him or her a more attentive pupil for training. Your dog will be happier and more relaxed as a result.
Large dogs that prefer to lie down on their backs or stretch, out should have a big bed to get comfortable in. You could get a rectangular bed designed specifically for large dogs or, better yet, a standard crib mattress. A crib mattress is also an easy to care for alternative to a dog bed because the sheets can be changed regularly with little fuss. Another good thing is that crib mattresses have a moisture-proof cover.
While you can definitely teach an old dog any new tricks, keep in mind conditions or medical issues which can limit his capability to behave in certain ways. For instance, a dog that suffers from arthritis shouldn’t be made to crawl too much. Training may actually improve a dog’s mind functions, and that can be great for old dogs. However, you should make sure these sessions are not causing any pain.
Preventing offspring from your pup is a good idea when they are half a year old. This should be happening roughly at the same time as the first obedience class. Pets that have been spayed or neutered are often more obedient. You and your pet will enjoy a longer and happier life together.
Always discourage any bad behavior you see. Tell your dog “No” in a firm voice. Don’t yell at your dog, and never, ever hit him. Discourage incorrect behavior in the moment it happens. Dogs have very short memories. If you wait too long, the dog won’t understand what you’re trying to tell it.
Your house will be a disaster, and your sanity will be out the window, if you do not train your dog. Using the advice of this article, you should now be prepared to train your dog better skills.
Reinforce your dog’s good behavior by using a clicker. Using a clicker is simple. Use it to make a good association between the noise and when something good occurs. Start by clicking and immediately giving a reward, and repeat this several times a day for a few days. Your dog quickly learns that the clicking sound means a treat is coming, so you can then use the clicker to train.