Anyone new to dog training may find the prospect of it to be overwhelming and even somewhat intimidating. There are so many resources available, that you may not know where to begin. Get started gradually by reviewing the following tips and seeing how well they work with your dog.
Rewarding dogs properly and generously is the key to training. It is essential that your dog get treats at the proper times and in the correct amounts. Dogs won’t know why they’re being rewarded if you’re not consistent.
The first step of training your pooch should be to assert your control. He needs to know that you are the authority before he will let you train him. 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.
Have frequent or as necessary mini-training sessions to reinforce and keep the rules fresh in your dog’s mind. Many owners believe that once training is over, the dog will be set for life. Pets are just like humans, in that they follow habitual routines. For this reason, it is essential to make sure that your dog adheres to a clear-cut set of rules.
When getting closer to a dog, move slowly and let the dog smell your hand. As you do this, you give the dog an opportunity to acclimate to your scent and become used to your presence. When the dog knows your scent, he is better able to trust you and follow given commands.
For a dog to become house trained you should always have them on the same feeding schedule everyday, so their elimination time is always the same. This will help you better understand when your dog needs to go outside, so he doesn’t go on the carpet and ruin it. This helps your puppy learn to “hold it” for a bit, until he knows it’s time to go out and will help save you money on carpet cleaning.
Begin the training with an easy to learn behavior. Aside from being rewarded instantly for your success, this will also give your dog the important basis of what is an acceptable behavior or trick. This provides you with greater results throughout the training.
You can continue to train your dog as they age. The dog does not stop learning as it grows older. If you reinforce good behavior, your dog will be obedient, and he will stop being negative as long as he is being disciplined.
Teach your dog a silent command to avoid barking. Each time your dog barks, wave a treat in front of him and voice your command. Then, allow them to have the treat. In time, your dog will learn to be quiet if he wants a treat.
When you discipline your dog, your tone is an important factor. Dogs are often closely attuned to a trainer’s mindset and feelings. Sometimes a stern voice is necessary.
Train a puppy to accept a leash by playing with the puppy while it wears its collar. The pup must become accustomed to wearing the collar in order for you to use its leash. It is also necessary for hanging ID tags.
For enforcing proper behavior when canine training, keep in mind your dog must be praised. You can act as though you are super excited and talk to them in a happy tone of voice. Avoid rewarding improper behavior since the dog will relate this to positive reinforcement too.
Work on making your dog’s memory stronger. He should always come when called. Build this important behavior in parts, in order for your dog to learn to obey regardless of distractions. Recall may save your dog’s life one day, so don’t skip out on this training, even though it can be time-consuming and challenging.
Is your dog pulling on the leash? Pulling is very common and very easy to cure. You can purchase a harness at your local pet store for a few dollars and this will greatly cut down on the pull during your walks.
Be sure to avoid giving dogs improper signals when they behave poorly. If you’re amused and it shows when they are acting improperly, they’ll do it again. This will seriously delay your training process and lead to quite a bit of frustration for you. Even if your dog is entertaining when he misbehaves, he must be corrected consistently.
If you want an agile dog, you need to get an agile breed in the first place. Almost any dog can learn and participate in the sport, but some of the more competitive breeds are Australian shepherds, border collies, Labrador retrievers and Shetland sheepdogs.
To teach your pooch the “sit” command, approach him with a treat while he is standing. Put the biscuit in the air over them and move the biscuit backwards. He’ll look up at where your hand is. Dogs naturally sit when they do this.
These tips probably got you brainstorming about how you will train your dog. Keeping these tips in mind when you start training your dog can help you become a very happy dog owner.
