Sometimes it may feel as though you brought home Cujo instead of Lassie! Even the smartest dog was once a mischievous pup like yours. You can develop a relationship with your pet and teach it how to behave in a house by training it.
Crate training is very beneficial, but there can be difficulties that the following tips can help with. To entice a hesitant puppy into the crate, give it the incentive of a toy or bone inside, with the door shut. Once they know the treat is in the crate, you will have to hold them back to stop them from getting the bone because they’ll be so eager. When your dog goes inside, give him plenty of praise, and let him know he is doing a good job.
If you plan on using a crate as part of your puppy’s training routine, introduce the apparatus and its’ functions very gradually. If they are uncomfortable with the door closed then try to feed them snacks to reassure them that they are okay. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate, starting with just a few seconds. If your dog becomes restless, you may be ramping up too quickly.
The best way to train your dog is to reward it when it behaves properly. Treats are great to give your dog when he does something good, but timing is very important when doing so. Dogs won’t know why they’re being rewarded if you’re not consistent.
Look out for your dog’s nutrition the same way you would look after your own. A bad diet is unhealthy for dogs for many reasons. It not only makes your dog unhealthy but can make him misbehave as well. Something as simple as improving their diet can sometimes have a huge impact on how receptive they are to training.
Be careful not to reward bad behaviors without realizing it. You should avoid using strips of food or attention to train when you are trying to discourage behaviors. For instance, it will be difficult or impossible to train your dog not to jump on people if you give your pet a friendly neck-scratch when he or she jumps on you.
Your dog must realize that you are the leader of the pack. Otherwise, the dog will think that he is in charge and will not respond to your training tactics. Do not let your dog walk ahead of you when you go on walks.
When approaching a dog you’ve never met, approach them slowly and offer them the back of a hand to smell. This lets them warm up to the scent and they’ll most likely trust you. When the dog knows your scent, he is better able to trust you and follow given commands.
If your dog is jumping on you, grab his paws with your hands and gently squeeze them to deter his behavior. It’s uncomfortable, but not painful. It won’t take much time for your dog to associate the unpleasant squeeze with jumping on a person, and he will quickly refrain from doing so.
As soon as you get your puppy, the first thing to teach him/her is their name; this will help build a bond between animal and human. Call his name every time you do something or want him to do something. Teach him that he needs to run to you when his name is called. This should be the first thing you teach your puppy. Spend plenty of quality time with them, so that they know that they can trust you. This will make him easier to train later.
Train your dog to stop barking with a treat. As the dog begins barking, display a treat and then repeat your order until the barking ceases. Give them a treat. Repeating this enough times can help them associate the treat with the quiet command.
Use your puppy’s name often so that he knows to pay attention when you speak. Use the name often, especially during the first weeks at home; the puppy should associate his name with focusing on you. A short name which sounds distinct from many other words is preferable.
Control your tone of voice when reinforcing your dog’s behavior, whether positive or negative. Dogs are very intuitive. It is okay to be appropriately stern.
Do not give up when you are trying to train your dog. Your dog requires consistent reinforcement of training, or he may quickly forget what he has learned. Training your dog should be as consistent as feeding or taking him or her outside.
Most dog owners are surprised at how simple it is to include canine training routines into their lifestyle and how fast they see results. If you feel like you are having a hard time developing a relationship with your puppy, you should try applying these tips.