Lots of dogs go to shelters simply because their owners become disappointed in them, though this does not need to be the case. A well trained dog can become a happy, healthy, and well adjusted member of the family. Transforming a dog into this type of companion can actually be easy, as long as you spend the effort and time necessary.
Here are a few ways to make crate training more positive for your dog. A dog is naturally hesitant about a crate at first. A way to get them interested is to put their favorite toy in the crate, then shut the door. They can see and smell that bone, and they will want in the crate to have it. After he goes in the crate, reward him with praise and a treat.
Small steps, gentle ways and patience are all a part of getting your puppy used to their crate. Once your puppy feels comfortable in the open crate, close the door and offer the dog a treat. Keep them in the crate for a small duration and slowly increase that duration. If the dog becomes upset, then you need to take a step back and slow down the training.
When corrected your dog verbally, make sure to use sharp, concise wording. Yelling and screaming at your dog is counterproductive. Say no and let them know what you would rather have them do. Your tone should be stern to let them know you are serious.
Have frequent or as necessary mini-training sessions to reinforce and keep the rules fresh in your dog’s mind. Too many owners tend to be under the impression that once they have trained their dog, that’s the end of it. Pets, just like humans, need to be reminded of the rules now and then. This shows that you need to do periodic refreshers so that your dog continues to follow the rules.
Put yourself in the dog’s situation. When your dog is slow to learn, you may become frustrated. Instead of giving up entirely, you might consider trying to put yourself in your dog’s mindset. Your dog may not understand because it hasn’t been said enough.
Shock Collars
When your dog is a room make sure you are calm when you come in. During playtime allow your dog to be feisty, but teach him to remain calm when someone enters a room. Do not acknowledge the animal when you enter and by doing so, you create a controlled atmosphere in which you decide how and when play time begins.
Refrain from using shock collars and similar training devices. They don’t often work well and cost more than training methods which are conventional. In addition, shock collars and some similar items can actually discourage your dog from practicing good behavior. Generally, techniques such as these actually produce negative results.
Pay attention to how much time you spend training in one session. Your dog will get bored and antsy if you spend too much time on one thing. Try to limit initial training sessions to 10 minutes or less.
When getting closer to a dog, move slowly and let the dog smell your hand. Dogs need to familiarize themselves with the smell before they can trust you. As you become close to one another, fear will be diminished and opportunities to learn together will be increased.
Dogs need at least 60 minutes of exercise time every day, on top of training and bathroom breaks. When your dog is worn out, his behavior will be better. An exercised dog is a happy and responsive dog.
Make sure food and outside time are scheduled to help break your dog into being an inside dog. This gives both you and the dog a heads up as to when they need to go outside, and you can make sure that happens before they make a mess indoors. When a dog has a schedule, they also learn the valuable skill of “holding it” until you take him for his next scheduled trip outside.
Primary reinforcement is critical to dog training. You need to give your dog a treat if they are good. This may mean giving food items as treats or scratching the dog’s tummy. Doing this will show your dog alternatives for obtaining what he wants appropriately.
As you train the dog, patience is essential. This will prevent both you and your dog from getting angry and frustrated with the training process. Your dog will do its best to please you, but give your dog enough time to remember orders. A puppy needs to form the association between a word and the behavior you expect with that command.
Always call your dog’s attention by doing the same thing. Begin commands by using his name. This will get his attention, and then you can tell him what to do. Dogs tend to respond by name right away and they know that you want their attention.
You indicate that jumping up is an unacceptable behavior by grabbing the dogs paws, squeezing gently and guiding them back down to the ground. This will not hurt your dog if done lightly, but it will impart the information that jumping up is not appropriate. Before long, you dog will stop his jumping on people altogether.
Be sure to provide consistency when it comes to your dog’s training. Make sure that others are using similar commands if they are training your dog. Your dog will learn better if the commands are ones he is familiar with.
Make sure training periods are short in duration. Your pet probably lacks a generous attention span, making it more likely that he will thrive on brief training sessions. Instead, have multiple, short sessions with breaks for playtime in between.
Be very mindful of the way you speak to your dog when you train him. Dogs tend to be well in tune with how their trainers are feeling. It is okay to be stern when disciplining your dog.
During puppy toilet training, it’s important to avoid accidents. Learn the signs that your dog needs to use the restroom. Some of the most common and obvious displays include whining, sniffing and pacing. Don’t hesitate to take your dog out whenever you notice your dog behaving in one of these ways. Quickly leash your pet and lead him to an area where he can relieve himself. Whenever he relieves himself in an appropriate time and place, he should be praised immediately. Soon, your dog will signal you when he needs to go outside.
Socialization with other people and pets is an important part of your dog’s training. He has to understand what is okay when it comes to being around dogs and people, too. Your dog will be better able to handle new situations.
Dog training involves a firm hand. However, that doesn’t mean yelling at your dog. Be loving while maintaining your authority. This ensures you have a positive relationship between the dog and yourself.
Regularly challenge your dog. While you may know your dog hasn’t forgotten anything, try little tests to ensure he remembers all the commands he’s learned up to that point.
Split treats into bite-sized pieces to keep rewards from affecting your dog’s daily diet, weight or overall health. The number of treats a dog gets during training can rack up pretty quickly, and a lot of owners overlook this part of their canine’s diet.
Make sure you pay attention to the limitations of older dogs. It will not be possible to train a dog that is older perfectly. They all possess little quirks you should simply try to live with. If you decide to take on an older dog, be aware that they are used to routines and will have certain habits. Rather than trying to change an older dog entirely, work on their negative traits and deal with the rest of their personality.
Praise your dog to reinforce good actions. Simple things like smiles, praise and even tiny treats help to reinforce the desired behaviors. Avoid rewarding improper behavior since the dog will relate this to positive reinforcement too.
When dog training, use different kinds of treats as a reward. These treats need to not be similar to daily treats, since you need to express a specialness that will encourage your canine to follow your commands to receive these special treats.
Each and every interaction that takes place between you and your pet will go a long way in shaping its attitude and actions. 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.
To succeed at dog training, it is necessary to commit yourself to a regular schedule of training sessions. Repetition is key, which takes a lot of time and effort. Taking the time to bond with your dog will prove to him or her that you are worthy of their love and loyalty. Your dog needs to consider you as a leader and this will occur if you remind your dog he has to obey you everyday.
As you see from reading this, having a dog that is in a good mood is all together possible. It’s important to pay attention to your dog and their needs. Keep the tips in this article in mind and you’ll have a great dog in no time.
Your dog needs to have regular vet check-ups. It it seems like your dog is struggling or regressing with certain parts of training, make sure that your dog has good health. Dogs hide discomfort and pain for a long time. It’s the small behavioral changes which may alert you to the problem. For instance, aggression often stems from pain and may be an indication of a medical problem.