To a new owner, training a dog may seem like an impossible task. There are a ton of resources out there, and it could make you wonder where to start! Here are some tips and advice to help you get started with effectively training your dog.
You can use a few tricks when crate training your dog or puppy. If the dog doesn’t want to go inside the crate, put a rawhide bone in there and shut the door. They will want to get to the bone, which means going into the crate. Once they go in the crate, praise them so that they know they did well.
Don’t allow your dog to jump on you when you get home. Playtime is great but sometimes it is just not appropriate. When you ignore the dog on entry, they shouldn’t bother you about playing.
Your dog must respect you in order for training to work. You have to show your dog that you are in control or he will not obey or respect you. Your dog should not walk ahead of you, because that indicates a position of leadership.
Pick a recognizable phrase to verbalize to your puppy during house training. When it’s time for him to go outside to do his business, say “Elimination Device…Activate!” or whatever phrase you chose to call his attention to the task at hand.
Try to incorporate play into your training sessions with your dog. When you play with your dog, it strengthens the bond between you and them, thus encouraging the pet to stay positive during training. Training is fun for your dog, but it doesn’t always have to be about learning something new. Play for the sake of playing.
Always use similar calls or gestures to attract the dog’s attention. First, say his name, then the command. Use your dog’s name to get his or her attention. Once you do this, tell your dog your command. Dogs listen for their name because they know it means you will say something else.
Never stop training your dog. Even though your dog is an adult, it must keep learning. If you provide positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors, your dog will continue to be obedient, and when you provide your dog with consistent discipline, negative behaviors are less likely to occur.
One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is to be sure that you introduce it to social environments early and frequently. It is essential that your dog understands how to conduct himself when he is around other animals and people outside the family. This helps reduce unacceptable behavior in social environments.
Everything you teach your dog shapes and molds their personality and behavior. Finding some of your dogs undesired behaviors amusing can inadvertently reinforce them. Always be careful not to reward these bad behaviors to prevent your dog from becoming confused.
If your dog has problems with destructive chewing, he may be suffering from anxiety or boredom. Keeping your pup in a crate or other doggy-proofed space and providing appropriate chew toys will keep him occupied until you arrive home.
Dog agility is not suited for all breeds, so research a bit beforehand. Most dogs can do the sport, but competitions call for certain breeds most of the time.
Training Program
Utilize a wide variety of training materials, including videos, books and classes where available, to create a comprehensive training program for your dog. Find other people who have the same kind of dog as you and ask them questions. You can then tailor a specific training program with the information you have gathered.
Try several different training techniques to discover which one your dog responds to best. For example, a laid back and loving dog will likely thrive on positive reinforcement, whereas a more aggressive dog may need negative reinforcement in order to respect your alpha position. When training isn’t going as planned, try a new method.
For those dogs that bark for no reason, don’t yell at them. Your dog may view your shouting as a positive reinforcement. Your dog may believe that you are yelling in reaction to the same thing he is barking at, causing him to bark more. Try to stay calm instead.
Your dog will let you know what it doesn’t want, so learn to read its signals. Do not force your dog if he is showing signs of being uncomfortable when he meets new animals or people. He’s telling you he needs some space. Pushing your dog can cause him to bite or act out with humans or other animals.
Hopefully, the tips you have read here have offered you some helpful ideas. Use them when you plan a regimen for training your dog. They can make your training successful, so that both you and your dog are happy.