The time you bring that new puppy home is a joyous one. That said, they can become overwhelming quickly. Your frustrations will mount with each mess you clean up. Bring back that early enjoyment by teaching a dog how they need to behave. Through this article you will learn some of the ways the experts get the most from canines.
When you are using a dog crate in your training, you need to help your dog get used to it as his home. Leave the crate door open and place food inside of it when it’s time to eat. This will let them associate a positive with being in the crate.
Ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise and stimulation. Dogs can get bored very easily. When a dog is bored, he will be hard to train. A dog that is happy, and gets the attention that they crave, will be a better behaved and attentive dog. Go for long walks and runs with your dog.
Avoid reinforcing negative behavior. Don’t give praise or treats to your dog if it does something wrong. For instance, if you are trying to train your dog to not jump on you, you shouldn’t be petting them whenever they do so.
Shock Collars
Stay away from high end training devices like shock collars. They could be detrimental to your dog and often cost a ton. Plus, shock collars are not positive reinforcement when your dog is exhibiting proper behavior. Usually if you do this your dog will respond in the wrong way.
If your pet is prone to jumping onto your lap, you should gently squeeze his paws after he does so. This communicates that the behavior is unacceptable and should be avoided. If done lightly, it won’t hurt the dog, but it’ll make them uncomfortable. Since it is so uncomfortable, they’ll avoid jumping on people.
Canine training means consistency. Start each command by calling the dog’s name. You can get their attention by doing this and then use the command. Usually, dogs quickly respond when you can their name and are aware you want to grab their attention.
Keep track of the number of treats you give your dog. Your dog needs to watch his weight, too. It’s easy to overlook the treats, but the do add up, especially when you’re doing a lot of training.
Let your dog socialize, which can really help to develop their skills. They need to become aware of how they should act around other people and dogs. They can’t learn about it otherwise. This will help reduce any sporadic behavior within new environments, too.
Be aware of special grooming requirements your dog might need. Weekly or monthly grooming may be necessary for breeds with longer hair; other breeds may be satisfied with a bath only occasionally. A groomed dog is happier, cleaner, and healthier.
Dog’s must learn “down.” This is an important command for your dog to know in social settings. Teaching your dog the down command can be extremely useful.
Your dog may be engaged in destructive chewing due to anxiety. Dogs like to den up. Giving him a crate to lie in and a toy to chew on will make your dog feel secure and keep him occupied.
When training a dog, make sure to stay consistent. Have a list of your commands, and make sure that whomever else gives your canine commands knows these, too. Anyone needing to handle your dog should follow the same program, using reward for good behavior and taking care to never reward bad behavior. Your dog will understand what is required if everyone involved uses the same approach.
You never want to give your dog a punishment during training. Your training efforts should be to prevent bad behavior. Teach your dog what constitutes inappropriate behavior, and what is an acceptable behavior. Training is about teaching your dog, and building a good relationship with him.
During your training sessions, you should always reward your dog immediately after he performs the desired behavior. Fade the treats gradually until the pet is only receiving a small amount of the treat, then substitute a pat or verbal praise for the treat.
When training your puppy not to chew, try to help him along by setting up a “chew-friendly” environment. Excessive chewing is not only damaging to your precious objects, but dangerous to your dog. Common household items like nylons and hairbrushes pose a grave threat to your dog and can cause him to choke.
Always deal with your dog if they are barking simply because they have nothing else to do. Whenever your dog barks due to boredom, understand that this is your fault, not your dog’s. It means that he doesn’t have a sufficient outlet for his physical and mental energy. Because of this, make sure you set aside playtime for your dog and regularly walk him or her. If you can’t be around, leave your dog some chew toys.
Triggers that tend to instigate inappropriate behavior in your dog can be diverted by redirecting his attention. For example, if your dog doesn’t behave well around other dogs, provide positive distractions when you move past other canines during outings. This will establish a positive relationship with that stimuli.
Everyone in the family should be encouraged to maintain consistency with the commands used to train the dog. For instance, your dog is going to get confused if you are saying “drop it” after he fetches a stick and your child tells him “let go.” If all family members are consistent in using the same commands, you will have more success in training your dog.
Canine training is built upon love, patience, and treats. The aforementioned tips will help you develop a fantastic relationship with your beloved pet. Do not expect to get results overnight, but your hard work will be rewarded by a great relationship with your dog.