Every dog needs to be trained. Continue reading for some tips and tricks which will help you successfully train your dog.
Consistency is really the secret to crate training puppies. When you let the puppy out of his crate you must immediately and unfailingly allow him the opportunity to relieve himself. As he gets older, he will gain greater control of his bodily functions, making it easier to control himself.
As the dog gets better at training, you can let it have more freedom. Your dog will flourish with a good balance between control and respect. Make sure you do not provide excessive freedom right away, or backsliding may occur.
Primary Reinforcement
Primary reinforcement is an important part of any training program. The dog has a reward they love given when they are good. Primary reinforcement could be treats or giving your dog a belly rub. This lets your dog know how to earn something it wants.
Puppy training involves a firm hand. However, this doesn’t mean constantly yelling at your dog. Instead, find some balance between being firm and being loving. This will help develop a strong bond during your training session.
Desensitize your dog to the cause of their barking in order to reduce the behavior. Some dogs bark in response to a specific sound, whereas others become excited in the presence of other people or dogs. The key is teaching them that their triggers are nothing to fear.
If you pour too much information and training into your puppy, it will actually be counterproductive. A puppy has a short attention span and limited energy to focus, so keep your sessions brief and as positive as possible. He’ll likely forget everything you taught him if you do too much at once. He will also look at training as a negative experience and it will be harder next time.
Keep tabs on the number of treats you give to your dog as a reward in order to avoid making him gain weight. The number of treats a dog gets during training can rack up pretty quickly, and a lot of owners overlook this part of their canine’s diet.
Successful dog training for walks means being aware of any dogs or other animals you will encounter while walking. There are aggressive dogs, and not every owner is at fault. If you come across a dog that seems aggressive avoid it.
Try teaching your dog the command of “down”. This is a command that is great as a foundation for other commands, and can also be used alone in emergencies. Dogs trained in the “down” command will get to the ground within a moment of the command in tense situations, making this command a great safety tool.
Dogs need an outlet to work out their behavior. Dogs need a healthy diet too, along with a place to get exercise and lots of stimulation.
If you ever use your dog’s individual name in a warning mode or tone, make sure that you complement that with three or four positive uses too. You have to make the dog know that it shouldn’t be afraid to hear it’s name.
If you are starting to train your dog, do not think that they will not snap at you. If your dog is not trained, they might think they are the Alpha. Understanding alpha behavior will help you forge the proper relationship with your dog. If he questions your authority, he may bite you.
Older Dogs
While it is possible to train older dogs, be aware that they may have some physical limitations due to medical conditions. For example, if your dog has arthritis, asking him to crawl long distances may not be very practical. Older dogs benefit from training in many ways, though. The concentration and mental challenge of training can keep an aging dog’s mind sharp. However, you should make sure these sessions are not causing any pain.
When you have an untrained dog, you risk both your sanity and your belongings. Using the advice of this article, you should now be prepared to train your dog better skills.