If you have never trained a dog before and are just getting to know your dog, expect some frustration. Luckily, the advice below will go a long way towards helping you get the dog you want. Your dog/owner relationship will improve, and you both will be happier.
It is of utmost importance that you reward your dog consistently and correctly while training. Giving them treats at the proper time and with the proper amount is crucial. This is because dogs tend not to understand what it’s being rewarded for when they do not get it at the proper time.
Give your dog a regular elimination and feeding schedule, so you can house train them. This allows you to know when your dog has to go and take him outside to do his business before your carpet gets ruined. A schedule is a great way to train a dog how to hold in their needs till they can go out.
Teaching a new puppy to “leave it” is very important and one of the first commands that you should work on. This can help stop them from chewing on your belongings and prevents them from ingesting harmful things away from the home.
When you are training your dog, be mindful of the time spent in one session. A long, uninterrupted training period is going to exhaust your dog’s attention. Aim for less than 10 minutes per session.
If you pour too much information and training into your puppy, it will actually be counterproductive. A puppy’s attention span is short and their energy is limited, so your sessions should be short and positive. If you try to do too much too fast, he will associated it as a negative experience and will resist in the future.
Don’t ever reward destructive or bad behavior. This only makes the dog more likely to do those bad things again. An example would be a scenario in which you give your dog treats whenever it barks.
Is your pooch eating a well-balanced diet? Like kids, dogs can get really hyperactive and unable to focus when their nutrition is not up to spec. Alter your dogs diet to make sure they are getting proper energy during the day. Ask the vet about additional nutritional requirements the dog may have.
Start your training by teaching the “down” command to your dog. This command will be useful if you need to keep your dog from jumping on someone. When something dangerous approaches, the dog will lie down and avoid the problem immediately.
Does your dog pull on the leash? This annoying behavior is extremely common and quite simple to rectify. A good harness can stop the problem dead in its tracks.
If you speak your dog’s name in an effort to scold or warn him, you should also try to utter it in more positive ways. Your dog will obey a call to its name and come when you call only if the name is associated with good things.
One very good way to reinforce a desired behavior in a pet is by providing a treat after the behavior is successfully performed. After they learn it, reduce giving them treats to 75% and continue reducing it to getting one just every once in a while.
Know an older dog’s limits. Older pooches may not be perfectly and easily trainable. You may have to embrace some of their quirks. Keep in mind that adopting old dogs may mean you adopt dogs that are set in their behaviors. While it may be possible to teach them new habits, sometimes it’s best to concentrate on the negative things that you can alter, and learn to live with the other things.
Try using a crate if you’re house training a dog. Let the dog out on a regular schedule to make the crate training most effective. Given time, a crate trained dog is much less likely to have accidents inside.
It is crucial to be consistent when you train your dog. Consistency is important; always repeat commands, tone and rewards. This is the best way to train your dog.
Positive Reinforcement
For best results, your pet should be trained with consistent application of positive reinforcement. Rather than scolding or punishing your dog in response to an undesirable behavior, avoid reinforcing it. If you rely solely on negative reinforcement, it is possible that your pet may become frightened and resentful of you. Positive reinforcement will work wonders to instill good behavior in your dog.
Do not let the pressures of your day or life influence how you speak to your dog when you are training. Remember: if your dog has not done something wrong immediately beforehand, your interactions should always be positive.
Make sure that you expand your dogs knowledge as much as you can. Dogs that do not chew a lot can have their senses stimulated with canine toys and puzzles. There are many puzzle toys from which to choose, so go with one that suits your dog’s preferences.
There are dogs who have such a phobia about thunder-storms that they endanger themselves. If your pooch is overly afraid of thunder, talk to your vet. They may actually provide a sedative for such events. You should only medicate a dog that cannot be helped through behavior modification alone; however, when used properly, medication can dramatically improve your pet’s quality of life.
The advice in this article should serve you well as you seek to build a better relationship with your pet. Your life will be enhanced by your newly calm, obedient and appreciative dog. Apply any of these ideas that you can in the near future and witness the results.
