When you brought home your dog you were expecting Lassie, but sometimes it feels like you brought Cujo home instead. There is hope! You can train aggressive or naughty behaviors out of your dog.
Include plenty of physical activity in your dog’s training routine. Dogs can easily become bored. If your dog is not receiving enough mental stimulation, it may not respond well to training. If you have a happy, exercised dog, they will listen better. Be sure to go for jogs or walks with your dog regularly.
Teething can be painful which is why your puppy chews on things, so always give him a choice of chew toys to keep him from getting into trouble. Replace the tasty item you do not want chewed with a designated chew toy. If painful teething is the problem, let the puppy chew on a wet washcloth that has been frozen.
Choose the right dog crate size if you wish to utilize the crate effectively to train him. Don’t forget, your puppy will grow. Choose a crate that is sure to fit them suitably when they hit adult size. Your dog should be able to make itself comfortable in a crate big enough for it to toss and turn.
Train your dog on a regular basis to make sure he understands the rules of the house. Too many owners tend to be under the impression that once they have trained their dog, that’s the end of it. But dogs can become complacent just like their human counterparts. For this reason, it is especially important to hold your dog to a strict disciplinary system.
In order to prevent your dog from jumping on you, grab its paws anytime he jumps on you and gently squeeze them to inform them that this isn’t acceptable behavior. This will not hurt if done lightly, but it will be an uncomfortable feeling. If you do this, they will not jump up on your or visitors any longer because they will think about you squeezing their paws.
Stay firm when you are training your dog. Avoid yelling at your dog. It is important to be firm when issuing a reprimand and someone who adores them otherwise. This approach helps to reinforce your relationship with the animal.
Whenever you go for walk with your dog, keep your eyes peeled for other dogs. You should not assume every dog is friendly; some dogs may be aggressive. Refrain from walking near dogs that are aggressive.
Everything you teach your dog shapes and molds their personality and behavior. This is something you need to know since you might undo desired behaviors with horse-playing or teasing them. You will want to mold your dog by always working toward desired behavior.
Above all else, consistency is the key to effective dog training. The commands that you use should be used by others as well. Make a list, and make sure other people who deal with your dog know the commands. Also, make sure to be on the same page regarding rewarding good behavior and never rewarding bad behavior. If other people are not following your training program, it can make your dog confused, which will set back your dog’s training.
Using a crate is an effective way to house train your dog. To make crate training work, make sure you take your dog out often and on a stable schedule. Over time, dogs that are house trained with the use of a crate tend to have less accidents inside the home.
Most cases associated to dog bites result from fear. A dog will bite if it feels unsafe or trapped. Using fear tactics are never a smart way to train a dog. The dog could get frightened and bite you. By doing this, pleasing you will be one of your dog’s life goals as it will see you as the pack leader.
Do not let your dog drag you. You have to be the leader. Therefore, make sure you use a short leash and a solid training collar. Always walk ahead and pass through gates first so that you stay in control. Keep in mind that you are in charge!
When starting out with training, be aware that untrained dogs may bite their owner. An untrained dog might think that you’re part of his group, and he may think that he’s the leader. Understanding this will help you show your dog that you’re the leader. When your dog does not understand your behavior, they could possibly bite you.
Whenever you train your dog to play fetch, make sure you show them that you are in charge by having him bring you the ball. If you go toward your dog as he brings the ball or go pick up the ball, your dog will not assume your are the master. When you insist that the ball be brought to you every time, you will teach the dog that this is what is expected of him whenever he has the ball.
Bad Behavior
Bad behavior must be called out in the moment. Make sure to use a firm voice when telling your dog “No”. Never scream and never use an object or your hand to strike your dog. This will teach your dog more bad behavior. Your dog has a very short memory span. If you wait, it will be unclear to the dog what you’re doing.
Most dog owners are surprised at how simple it is to include canine training routines into their lifestyle and how fast they see results. So if the relationship with your dog is not as good as it should be, try a few of these suggestions.