All the negative qualities that a dog might have, such as growling, excessive barking and rowdy behavior can all be handled with proper training. In cases when these behaviors can’t be completely eliminated, they can be minimized by using these tips. With a good training program, any dog can be a trouble-free companion.
Commands and corrections should be short and straight to the point. Yelling and screaming at your dog is counterproductive. Simply say no and direct them to what you want them to do instead. Pitch your voice in such a way that your dog will recognize your vocalizations as commands.
Rewards are essential to effective training. It is essential that your dog get treats at the proper times and in the correct amounts. A dog doesn’t always know when it’s being rewarded if they don’t get a treat at the proper time.
Dog Learns
You will have to repeat commands several times before your dog learns it. It may take as many as fifty repetitions before your dog learns the command. Just remember to keep trying and be patient. Eventually, your dog will learn.
When you are house training your puppy, remember, what goes in, must come out. Feed your pooch several times daily at the same hour. This will help you figure out when the best time is to take your dog out and avoid accidents.
Approach an unknown dog slowly and let him smell your outstretched hand. This helps the dog become familiar with your scent and engenders trust. After the dog knows your scent, he is unlikely to fear you and may be more willing to heed your command.
Use the same hand signal or voice command to get your dog’s attention. Start commands with their name all the time. Get their attention and then follow up with whatever you want them to do. Dogs tend to respond by name right away and they know that you want their attention.
Positive Reinforcement
Stick with positive reinforcement when it comes to dog training. Use petting, positive words, and occasion treats to reward your dog whenever he does something good. Under no circumstances should you be violent or aggressive with your dog in response to negative behaviors. Doing this will cause your dog to act out even more and lose respect for you. Always be firm, be consistent and use positive reinforcement to make your dog understand what you want from it.
One thing to remember when puppy training is that all your actions are molding its behavior and personality. If you send your dog the wrong message with teasing or roughhousing, he may have problems interpreting your actions and acting accordingly. You want to constantly be teaching your dog the behavior that you want it to have.
Do not quit when you are training your dog. Your dog requires consistent reinforcement of training, or he may quickly forget what he has learned. Training is something you do with your dog all the time, just like feeding and grooming him.
Short training session are better suited to your dog’s attention span. Training sessions should be no longer than fifteen minutes at a time to help ensure success. You should praise your pet for a job well done after training.
Make sure your dog knows right from wrong in all instances. You will need help from everyone in the family to teach this. It confuses the dog and sabotages your efforts.
Keep your dog challenged regularly. While you may know your dog hasn’t forgotten anything, try little tests to ensure he remembers all the commands he’s learned up to that point.
Dogs all exhibit certain behaviors, so make sure you have your house set up to accommodate them. Dogs need to eat well and have a good place to exercise and keep busy.
Consistency is the key in dog training. Stay consistent across the board, including the tone that you use and the rewards the you provide.
With the right techniques, training your dog is easy. When you have the right mentality and knowledge, puppy training becomes simple. Training can actually make your dog happier and healthier.