When you first brought your dog home, you were probably having visions of Lassie, but there have probably been days that you were remembering Cujo more. Do not despair. With some patience, and a little training, your unruly mutt can be better behaved in no time.
You should have a specific feeding pattern for your dog. Training your dog to expect that when fed, once or twice a day, you will be removing the food bowl in 10-15 minutes, will lay down a feeding schedule that your dog will adhere to. Your dog will eat their food in the time that you have alloted.
Use control when rewarding good behavior during canine training. Give your dog a treat after they properly respond to your commands, but only if they are nice and calm. You might be happy about the progress your dog has made but you need to quell your excitment. Remain calm, expect them to be calm, and then award them when appropriate.
Dog Knows
Be certain your dog knows that you are the leader of your pack. Put yourself in an authoritative position, so that your dog knows to obey you. When you walk your dog, walk in front of him to establish leadership.
Do not use shock collars and similar training devices. These things rarely work as promised, and they’re usually much more expensive compared to the traditional training methods. Plus, shock collars are not positive reinforcement when your dog is exhibiting proper behavior. This kind of approach often ends in disaster.
You will be able to allow your dog to do more as it learns. The right balance of training, obedience and freedom ensures your dog has an enjoyable life. Try to remember that you shouldn’t provide a lot freedom at one time, as it could regress the training that you’ve been doing.
When you meet an unfamiliar dog, you should go up to him slowly and allow him to sniff your hand. This gives the dog a chance to become accustomed to your personal scent and shows him you mean no harm. When he knows who you are, he’ll do what you ask.
Teaching your dog to not tug and pull when on his leash is an important part of his training. This helps keep both you and your dog safe when going on walks.
Start small when you begin to work on training your dog to give your dog an easy start. This will act as a foundation for further training as well as help you see instant success. This helps you get better results.
Try to keep your leash loose when you take your dog outside to train. Dogs generally want to explore uncharted areas anytime they get the chance. Many dogs will strain against the leash due to their eagerness. Teach your dog to relax and let them get used to walking along on a slack leash.
By being consistent you can teach your puppy to “hold it.” When you are at home, spend time with your dog and take him outside every hour. Give him a little praise if he makes waste outside. Don’t scold a dog after an accident. He does not know better, and shouting at him will only make things worse. Give your dog time outside a quarter of an hour after he drinks or eats anything, in addition to the first moment he comes out from his crate.
Training sessions should be kept short. About 15 minutes is enough time to train because spending longer than that can irritate your dog and hinder their progress. After training make sure to play with your pet and show him a lot of praise.
Crate Training
When you are going to be housebreaking a dog, you should consider crate training. Crate training is most effective when you allow your dog out using a consistent schedule. Over a period of time, crate trained dogs are less likely to use the restroom inside the house.
When training your dog, use many resources, such as books on puppy training, dog magazines and books about the particular breed of dog that you wish to train. Talk to others who own the same breed of dog. Use what you find out to tailor your training routine for your dog.
Be sure to have your dog spayed or neutered at six months. This really should be done prior to the start of obedience classes. Any dog not “fixed” will be very excitable and easily distracted in obedience sessions. Your dog will be happier and healthier, and they will live a longer life.
Reinforce your dog’s positive behaviors. Don’t punish him all the time, but give treats for good behavior. If you punish the bad behaviors, your dog can end up terrified of you. When you praise your dog because he has done something good, he’ll be more apt to keep doing it.
Keep your dog up-to-date on his check-ups. If your dog is going through a tough time with training or seems to be regressing, ensure his health is good. Many times a dog can be in pain without you knowing it. Frequently, the only way you will know that a health problem exists is when you observe changes in behavior. Aggression can be an indicator of pain, and a lapse in house training can be a telltale sign of urinary issues.
Just like people, all dogs are different. Therefore, they all respond differently to training methods. Easygoing dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, while more aggressive breeds need a stronger hand. If you are failing with your method, try something new.
Most dog owners are surprised at how simple it is to include canine training routines into their lifestyle and how fast they see results. Try out these tips if you are having problems with your dog.