Good dog owners know that a good dog is one that is trained. Whether it’s basic obedience or advanced training, dogs must be socialized and taught how to be good canine citizens. Training is also necessary to keeping your dog happy and safe. Here are some suggestions on how you can train your canine or find a good trainer.
There are several techniques to make crate training your dog easier. If your puppy doesn’t like being in his crate, put a dog treat or chew bone in it and close the door to keep him out. They will see and smell the bone and will want you to let them in there to get it. Once they enter the crate, be sure to praise them to show that what they did was good.
While training your puppy or dog to use a crate, introduce him to new concepts slowly and gradually, so he is able to adjust to the changes without feeling stressed. Once your puppy feels comfortable in the open crate, close the door and offer the dog a treat. Only keep the gate closed for short periods of time at first and increase time slowly. Freaking out your dog is a sign that you need to slow down.
Your dog needs to get plenty of exercise. Just like humans, dogs can become bored easily. A bored dog will try and find something interesting to do, and training is not usually interesting. If your dog is fit and content, he will be much more likely to heed your instructions. Get out for some long walks and runs with your dog.
Pick the proper size crate for your dog if you want to be able to effectively use the crate to train it. Puppies will get bigger. Be sure to select a crate that allows your dog to have ample room as it grows. Dogs need room to move about and lie down, and they should not be cramped.
Pick a consistent phrase to use with your puppy while house training. When you take your dog out, repeat this command. This will help him form an association between being taken outside and doing his business.
You must teach your dog how to walk correctly when the leash is attached. This will help keep your dog and you safe when going for walks.
If your dog leaps on you, hold his paws and squeeze them a little so he will know this is not acceptable. It’s uncomfortable, but not painful. Soon your dog will believe that this will happen every time he jumps up and will stop jumping up.
Remember to enjoy the time spent with your dog during training. If you do so, your dog will feel closer to you, and even respond to training better. 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.
Be firm with your dog when training, for its own sake. Don’t just yell at your pooch. Learn how to balance compassion with strictness. This develops a strong relationship with your dog.
Training is a lifetime endeavor. A dog does not stop learning after puppyhood. By continually reinforcing obedient behaviors and disciplining negative behaviors, you will have a dog that behaves appropriately.
Bad Habits
Your dog will be easier to train if you are careful to avoid letting him learn bad habits to begin with. It is far simpler to teach a dog to do something the right way than to break bad habits. Never give a dog food scraps from the table so that it does not get into the bad habit of begging for them.
It might be hard, but you must be patient around your dog. Your dog is not human and does not speak or understand English. He will only pick up on your physical gestures and your tone without knowing why you’re acting such a way. Stay calm, step back and take a breather when you become frustrated.
Dog Barks
If your dog barks too much, take note of the ongoing activities or the environment. Having an awareness of the triggers, can help you address the behavior constructively. For instance, if the only time your dog barks too much is when visitors arrive, ask a friend to visit you to assist you in dealing with the behavior when the trigger event occurs.
Consistency is key to training a dog. Being consistent applies to the words you use for the commands you are looking for the dog to obey, to the tone you use with the words, and to the rewards you are providing for the dog if they successfully complete the command you are teaching them.
In the majority of instances, dog bites are caused by a biting phobia. This happens when a dog feels frightened, threatened, and trapped. Dogs cannot be trained through force. Your dog might snap and bite you. Your dog will be more likely to want to please you.
To keep your dog going digging through trash, then keep him fed well and surrounded by toys. Empty out your trash frequently, especially if they contain mean and/or bones. Crate your dog or empty your trash can if you plan on going out.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive behavior training is the most effective, humane training philosophy. Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desired behaviors, not on punishing undesirable behaviors. Your dog can become skittish and frightened around you. Positive reinforcement will make your dog do good things when it receives praises and treats.
Use good quality treats when training your dog for best results. This can even be something that the dog is not normally permitted to have, like hot dogs or cheese.
Hopefully, these guidelines will improve your relationship with your pet, and allow both of you to enjoy your time together. Owning a properly trained dog takes the stress out of dog ownership and allows you to enjoy your pooch’s company. Training, whether done by you or a professional, will make your ownership much more pleasant.