There are many reasons people want their dogs to be trained. Dogs can be trained for pleasure, hunting, work, or protection. Dogs are well known for their ability and desire to please. This is why most breeds of dogs make wonderful pets. The article here gives you some advice and tips when it comes time to train your loyal mutt.
Make sure that your dog’s crate is the right size for him if you are going to use it to train him. Don’t forget, your puppy will grow. You need a crate that can still fit the puppy once it becomes a dog. The crate should be big enough for the dog to turn and lie down comfortably without feeling cramped.
Commanding control is the very first step in training your dog. Make sure he knows that you know what you are doing and are in control of the situation. Then he will look to you and defer to your judgment. In practice, this means that you should walk ahead when walking your dog, for instance, rather than allowing him or her to take the lead.
To strengthen your training efforts, you can use a designated verbal command to help your animal know what your expectations are and when they have been fulfilled. Words like “yes” could be an effective way of communicating to your dog that he has done something you are pleased about.
When giving commands to your body, your tone and volume level should remain the same. The dog will know you’re telling them what to do that way. It will also help him distinguish between a disciplinary tone, which is sharper, and a commanding tone.
If you want your do to be house trained, you must make sure that he follows a regular elimination and feeding schedule. 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. This will also teach your dog “hold it” until her next trip outside.
Always be patient when you train your dog. Patience is the best way to keep your dog from becoming confused and for you to remain calm. Don’t forget that dogs aim to please, however they often don’t understand what you want.
Good dog grooming habits can assist you in training your dog. Attention to your dogs grooming needs, whether it’s a weekly thing, as some breeds require or less frequently, gives you time to build a good relationship with your dog. Grooming keeps your pet clean and happy, and it reduces its risk in acquiring disease.
Understand that your every action is teaching your dog and shaping his personality. Realize that you could very well sabotage your own training efforts with innocent activities such as rough-housing. Always be careful not to reward these bad behaviors to prevent your dog from becoming confused.
When traveling with your pet, ensure you pack all the necessary equipment. You need to bring bowls, his leash and bathroom supplies to ensure you can travel comfortably. Rather than carrying large bags of dog food on your trip, just make time to purchase some when you arrive at your destination.
Your dog needs to eat a healthy diet. Dogs are similar to children in the way that their diet can play a major part in their behaviors. Change your dog’s food if you need to. Talk to your vet to learn the nutritional needs of your dog.
Training should be seen as fun time to your dog. Keep the sessions between 10-15 minutes, as this is about the attention span of most dogs. The reward system can be generous and filled with surprises. Your dog should enjoy lots of praise for a job well-done. When training is enjoyable, listening becomes a happy time, too.
When you want to train a dog, you should use all the resources available, from books to blogs. Seek out other pet lovers who have experience with your dog’s breed; they will be able to offer insight into the specific breed. Take the information you have gathered and use it to construct a training program developed specifically for your dog.
Consistency is key to successful obedience training, and it is essential that you devote time to training on a routine basis until you are seeing the behaviors you want. A regular, consistent training program will make it easier for a dog to learn. Simply being with your dog each day lends a sense of trust and consistency to your dog’s perspective of you. This will help you establish yourself as pack leader.
Make sure you have your dog ‘fixed’ when he or she is about six months old. This should be done at the same time you start obedience training. Any dog not “fixed” will be very excitable and easily distracted in obedience sessions. You will be able to better enjoy the time you have with your dog and they will be happy and healthy.
If you want to potty-train your dog, do not use wee-wee pads. The problem with the wee-wee pads is that they leak and leave enzymes from urine and feces behind. They also have the side effect of conditioning dogs to think that any similar-looking item is also acceptable to use as a bathroom. It is best to teach dogs that they are to go potty outside only.
As was already stated, many dogs are trained for many different reasons. The fact that dogs enjoy making their owners happy makes training easy and a way to bond with your dog. This article, hopefully, has helped you with some ideas that can make it less of a hassle to train your dog.
