Dogs, regardless of their size, tend to have a general attitude about how they behave. If one understands that mindset, one should be able to train any dog they get. Read on to find out how to communicate better with a dog by using the information that provides some help.
Spoken directions should be made using a simple, concise and forceful tone. Don’t drag on and rant how your dog is bad. Just tell them no, and point them in the desired direction. When speaking to your dog, use a voice that commands respect.
A healthy diet is essential for your dog. A poor diet can negatively affect them in various ways. It is damaging to their health as well as making them more prone to bad behaviors. Simply improving their diet may have a bigger impact on how they respond to training.
Don’t use things like shock collars. In addition to being very expensive, they usually do not work as well as the more traditional training techniques. This is also a negative way to train your dog and might cause them to be aggressive. Using these techniques can have poor results.
Use an even tone when commanding your dogs. Your voice tone lets your dog know that you are serious and that you expect their obedience. Your dog needs to understand that there is a difference between the tone you use to discipline your dog from the tone you use to give an order.
Training Sessions
Don’t extend training sessions. Dogs’ attentions are very short. Maintaining short training sessions ensures that your dog can remain focused on the task at hand. You can choose to adopt a more intensive regimen, but only if you are willing to allow your dog a few moments of relaxation and play to break up the session.
Make sure your dog understand he does not need to respond to the word “no”. Find some positive ways to enforce training when you train your dog. Telling them “no” does not help them know how to react to you. Every dog and situation is unique and you should adapt your strategies accordingly.
Never, ever give your dog a reward as a means of stopping bad behavior. This will give your dog the wrong mindset during the training session. When a dog barks, never reward it, for example.
Teach dogs a “down” command. This command will be useful if you need to keep your dog from jumping on someone. By teaching your dog the command “down,” you can ensure his safety in the event of an emergency.
If you speak your dog’s name in an effort to scold or warn him, you should also try to utter it in more positive ways. Your dog should know that you can call their name when they are happy and mad so they are not always afraid of coming when they hear their name.
Consistency is one of the most important requirements for effective puppy training. Make sure everyone knows the right commands to give the dog; keep a list if necessary. Discuss with family members what methods to employ in encouraging good behavior by your dog. If the dog deals with inconsistencies while training it can become confused and it will delay the dog being trained.
It is important to use a wide spectrum of treats when training your dog. These treats need to not be similar to daily treats, since you need to express a specialness that will encourage your canine to follow your commands to receive these special treats.
Don’t allow your dog to drag you around. You lead the dog, he does not lead you. Use a training collar, and see to it that your dog follows you by going ahead of it when you pass through gates or doors. Understand that you are the one in charge, not your dog.
Big dogs that like to stretch out or lie on their backs need a big bed. It is possible to purchase large, rectangular beds that are ideal for big dogs; alternatively, you can get a crib mattress for your dog to lie on. These are convenient because you can change out the cover and wash it when it becomes dirty. Additionally, crib mattresses are waterproof!
Untrained Dogs
When starting out with training, be aware that untrained dogs may bite their owner. Untrained dogs might think they are the leaders and try to correct you. Understanding how to effectively display dominance to your new dog will help them to recognize you as the alpha in the pack. When your dog does not understand your behavior, they could possibly bite you.
A fight with your boyfriend or the cat dragging in a dead mouse, should not result in a stern, cold voice with your dog. Keep in mind that unless your dog has misbehaved immediately before your interaction, your behavior toward the dog should be positive in nature.
A clicker is a good way to reinforce positive behavior. To use one, make a positive connection between good behavior and the noise made by the clicker. Work on making the click and the reward happen in close succession, and do so frequently during a multiple-day span. Very soon, the animal will understand that the noise is synonymous with good things. This makes the clicker a valuable tool.
Never raise your voice to your dog during training. If you yell when they are barking, they will realize that you are talking to them how they are talking. This leads to a feedback loop that actually worsens the barking issues.
You will be a better master if you understand your dog. A person who has this kind of insight can be a more effective trainer. Knowing how the wheels are turning in one’s dog’s mind makes it easier to train it well.