Canine training is vital to your happiness, and the dog’s as well. A well-trained dog means that you both know what to expect from each other. If your dog has been trained effectively, you will be less reluctant to leave him at home alone, allow him to interact with visitors or spend time together in public places like dog parks. The time that you spend training your dog will pay off tenfold.
While training your puppy or dog to use a crate, introduce him to new concepts slowly and gradually, so he is able to adjust to the changes without feeling stressed. Once your puppy feels comfortable in the open crate, close the door and offer the dog a treat. Start off with small periods, for example 10 seconds or so, and gradually increase crate time. Freaking out your dog is a sign that you need to slow down.
Rewarding your dog properly and generously is important when it comes to training them. Dog treats must be plentiful and strategically timed. If you do not give the treat right away, your dog is not going to understand why you are rewarding it.
If you want to train your dog, it helps if you can think like a dog. Things that seem simple to you may not be as simple to your dog if he is having a hard time learning them. Understand your dogs position, to reduce any tension that you may have towards them. This allows you to gain more insight into what is most likely to work and what should be avoided.
Remain Calm
Use a controlled and calm behavior when rewarding your dog for good behavior. You and the dog should both remain calm. You might be happy about the progress your dog has made but you need to quell your excitment. Remain calm, expect the dog to be calm and provide appropriate rewards.
Make sure your dog is up and active often. Dogs can get bored quite easily. If your dog is not receiving enough mental stimulation, it may not respond well to training. When your dog gets regular exercise, he will be much happier and will pay attention more easily. Go on runs or long walks together.
Regulate your dog’s feeding time if you want to regulate his “potty” times too. To keep your puppies toiletry habits regular, feed him a high quality food 2-3 times a day at the same time each day. That way, you will know when the dog likely needs to go out and can prevent accidents.
Approach any unfamiliar dog with care. Walk slowly toward him and allow the dog to sniff your hand before trying to pet the dog. The dog will become familiar with your smell and recognize the scent in the future. Dogs are more likely to be friendly and obedient if they recognize you.
When house training your dog, be sure your dog has a predictable feeding and elimination routine. This way, you are aware of when your dog will need to do his business, and you can take him outside before an accident occurs. This schedule also teaches dogs what it means to “hold it”.
Training lessons should be kept short. The attention spans of dogs can be limited, and therefore it is necessary to keep training segments brief so that the animals do not grow bored and disinterested. If you want to continue, then give dogs a quick free play break.
When you’re training your dog, it is important that you understand primary reinforcement. In this method the reward you use is something it is natural for your dog to want. This may mean giving food items as treats or scratching the dog’s tummy. This way, the dog can learn how he can get things he wants.
One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is to not give up. Dogs need consistent reinforcement in what you have taught them so they remember the good behaviors and don’t revert back to their old, disobedient ways they had before training. Much like providing your pet with food, training is a continuous process that is never truly finished.
One of the most important factors in training your dog is establishing rules and making sure that these rules are followed on both ends. This will allow trust between you and your dog. Always provide consistent support for lessons you have imparted to the dog. Make your dog stay sharp on what he has learned, and pay attention to stop relapses in your dog’s behavior. When the time comes that you have trained your dog in the basics, the things you and he can achieve have no limit.