When you first meet your dog, chances are he didn’t show his true colors and may have come to you with a few “problems”. Do not despair. With some patience, and a little training, your unruly mutt can be better behaved in no time.
Make sure to let your pet know a crate is their home initially. At meal times always put their bowl of food inside the crate leaving the door open the whole time while they are eating. This will help the dog make a positive association between the food and the crate.
A main focus of training is timing your sessions appropriately. Start small and build up a bit daily. Note how far into the training session your dog loses his attention span. That’s the time to quit.
Unless you offer a distraction or stimulus, your dog will probably focus exclusively on a single thing. Repetition and practice will result in your dog waiting to take cues from you rather than being distracted by other things.
You can show your dog how to do tricks, get some treats. Initially, try to get your dog to lay on the floor. Next, hold the treat close to the floor near its head, and bring it up over the dog’s head as you place it on the other side. He will probably follow the treat, rolling side to side as it moves. As he rolls over say out loud, “roll over.” Repeat this until he rolls over with the command alone. Be patient while he masters this trick. He will be a star once he does!
As your dog responds to his training, you can begin to allow him more freedom. This balance between obedience and freedom will provide your dog with a very satisfying life. Be sure not to give them too much since this can counteract training efforts.
Anytime your dog does something good, make sure you reward him. They have to know that doing the right thing brings a happy ending. This is the proper way to make sure that your dog learns the difference between right and wrong.
One command that should be taught early to a puppy is “leave it.” This teaches them to drop something and step way from it. Teaching them to “leave it” will stop them from destructive chewing and coming in contact with something that could potentially hurt them.
When your dog does something unacceptable, make sure that it becomes known. It’s uncomfortable, but not painful. This will help them to stop this action immediately.
Primary reinforcement should be used when canine training. The dog has a reward they love given when they are good. You can use dog treats or a bunch of love to reward your pet. This lets your dog know how to earn something it wants.
You must be firm with your dog in order to train it effectively. Try not to yell though, as negative reinforcement does not work. This way you will develop a strong bond with your dog.
To ensure that your dog maintains good behavior, you must continue his training throughout his life. Dog training does not stop once your dog is no longer a puppy. When you work with your dog consistently to produce the best behaviors, you help your dog to remain healthy and happy. Discipline will keep him in line.
In order to decrease barking, stay around the offending item. It can be a sound, or being face to face with other people or other animals. The dog will soon learn there isn’t any need to growl or bark during such situations.
Using various voice tones for various purposes is a great way to train a dog. Commands, corrections and praise should all have their own tone in order to help your dog distinguish cause and effect with his and your behavior. Stand firm and be sharp when using commands. Use louder tones for corrections, and use your natural tone when giving praise.
The majority of pet owners are pleasantly surprised to find out that training their dog to learn basic commands is a process that takes only a short amount of time each day and fits smoothly into their lifestyle. Moreover, they are often astonished at how quickly their dog begins to respond to the commands. So if your dogs relationship with you seems strained, try using these tips.
