While many dogs are dropped off at shelters because their behavior was not what the owners expected, it is often possible to avoid this situation. If trained correctly, your dog can be a pleasant addition to your family. Transforming a dog into this type of companion can actually be easy, as long as you spend the effort and time necessary.
Timing is crucial when you train a dog, so you need to spend an adequate amount of time training them, but not too much. Start out training for just a few minutes each day and work up to half an hour or so over time. Pay attention to the point when your dog starts to get restless.
Your dog should always give you its attention when asked. Repetition and practice will result in your dog waiting to take cues from you rather than being distracted by other things.
The rule of thumb with puppies and house training is to remember: what is eaten will pass. In order to foster routine toilet habits, give your dog good food between 2 and 3 times daily on a firm schedule. You can then schedule your walks at the right times to prevent unwanted accidents.
As you train your dog, be sure to create verbal cues to make your pet know that he is doing what you want it to do. “yes” is a great bridge word between the dogs positive accomplishment and the reward they receive.
Approach an unknown dog slowly and let him smell your outstretched hand. The dog will become familiar with your smell and recognize the scent in the future. When the dog becomes familiar with your smell, he will not fear you and will respond to your commands easier.
Mastering the “leave it” directive is an excellent starting point for your training sessions. This command instructs the dog to release an object and then retreat from it. This can help stop them from chewing on your belongings and prevents them from ingesting harmful things away from the home.
Make training with your dog fun. Playful interaction strengthens the bond between you, and will have your dog striving even harder to please you during training. Despite the fun the two of you will have during training, it is important to set aside time that is designated to enjoyment only, with no work or training involved.
As it was stated previously, having a well-behaved and happy dog in your family is very possible. To train your dog, you must show him love and affection. Abide by the advice above and you are on your way to owning a happy pet.