Much like a television or other electronic device, dogs must be programmed and trained to produce certain results. The potential is there, but it’s your job to suss it out. Dogs aim to please their human companions, which makes them eager to learn new tasks and tricks.
When you are going to be training your dog, it is important that you limit the length of the training sessions. Start with a short session and gradually add more time to it. You will see how long your training sessions should be before you lose your dog’s attention.
It is dangerous to put more than one dog together in a close space. It is possible for the chains to become intertwined, and the animals can be hurt as they try to get free. A larger dog could cause a tangle so bad that the smaller dog could be choked by the leash.
You should never do long sessions of training. Dogs don’t have long attention spans so make sure that your training sessions are kept short. If you want to train more, make sure to include play breaks for your dog.
Teach your puppy his name when you first start training him, as this creates a bond between the two of you. In the first days, frequently use your dog’s name, and reward him for responding when you call. Usually this simple command “come” and their name, are what they learn first. It’s important that the time spent with your puppy is quality time. Spend your time playing with your puppy. This way he will get to know you quicker and will begin to trust you faster. The puppy will be more open to more training down the line.
In order to reduce your dark’s barking, have your dog get used to the things that are causing them to bark. For example, many dogs bark because of a sound, other animals or people. Once the dog is acclimated, he’ll begin to see there is not reason to bark.
Your dog training needs to be consistent. When others are involved in the training, everyone should be on the same page and use the same commands. Use the same phrases and commands in every training session with your dog to avoid confusion.
Training Sessions
Keep training sessions with your puppy short. Puppies do not have a very long attention span and limited energy, keep it brief and positive. If training sessions are too long, the puppy won’t remember the specifics of the training session, just that is was grueling and exhausting. This will make it harder to train him next time.
Praising your pooch is an absolute must during training sessions. Smile at your dog and provide it with treats to assist your dog in associated good behavior with positive rewards. Do not reward your dog after bad behavior, it will get confused.
Dogs need to learn to socialize early in life. It is essential that your dog understands how to conduct himself when he is around other animals and people outside the family. This will help reduce any sporadic behavior within new environments, too.
Understand that your every action is teaching your dog and shaping his personality. For this reason, you may be causing unwanted behaviors by playing rough with your dog or teasing. You will want to mold your dog by always working toward desired behavior.
Your dog needs to learn what ‘down’ means. It can be very useful during emergencies and also serves as a great foundation for future lessons. A dog that knows his “down” command well can drop to the ground at a moment’s notice in a testy situation, making it a great command to keep on hand for safety’s sake.
Have several different treats available as rewards for your dog so he doesn’t get bored. Make the training treats extra special so they won’t confuse them with normal treats. Making the treats special and unusual will help your dog obey your commands faster. They understand they are getting something special and will work harder for it.
When teaching about sitting, have your dog remain standing while the treat is held in front of him. Pass the treat over his head as you move your hand backwards. This causes your dog to look up while trying to follow your hand motions. When his head goes up, his bottom will go down.
Puzzle Toys
You will need to exercise your dog’s brain as well. Dogs who do not over-chew can greatly benefit from canine puzzle toys, as they help with problem solving and senses. There are many puzzle toys from which to choose, so go with one that suits your dog’s preferences.
Old habits die hard, even in dogs. For example, a dog who is used to jumping up and sleeping on the bed will not stop immediately when asked. If you’ve addressed the behavior when your dog was young, then it could be easier to change it.
Learn about other methods of positive reinforcement, rather than just offering treats. Offering treats as rewards for learning new tricks or behavior can be effective. You probably do not carry treats with you 365 days a year when you are not in an “official” training session. Petting and hugging dogs as positive reinforcement while training is better than giving them treats.
When training your dog, do not use food solely the source of control when it comes to its behavior. Dogs need food for survival, so reward them another way. Tasty treats make awesome rewards, as dogs are often willing to go out of their way to earn them.
Whenever a dog owner learns the proper methods of getting their dogs to showcase their natural abilities, the next step is simply utilizing these methods. The training process can be instructional and gratifying for both the dog and its owner.