It can be frustrating to train a dog, particularly if you are new to the experience. But, if you apply the tips in this piece, you can learn to build a strong relationship with your dog and get a better understanding of his needs.
Your dog will get used to its crate if it can feel at home in it. During meal time, place their food in the crate while allowing the door to remain open as they eat. This creates a positive association between good food and their new crate.
Verbal corrections must be sharp and direct. There’s no point in ranting at your dog. Just say no and show them the behavior you expect. Be sure your command tone of voice gets their attention and shows that you’re serious.
Include plenty of physical activity in your dog’s training routine. Dogs become bored very easily. A bored dog is very difficult to train. Your dog needs proper exercise to function to his highest potential. Go for long walks and runs with your dog.
Your dog may not learn a command right away. Repetition is key in training your dog. Some estimate that your pet must hear a command as many as 50 times to learn it. Just remember to keep trying and be patient. Eventually, your dog will learn.
Do not allow your pet to become complacent in his training. Establish a clear set of rules and stick with it at all times. Most owners think training once is all that it takes. Some dogs will revert back to negative behaviors if the training does not continue. So, it’s very important that you review your training with your dog regularly.
Pick a consistent phrase to use with your puppy while house training. Whenever the dog is taken out, use the term you have chosen to refer to the process of relieving him or herself, and the pet will make a mental link between going outside and doing just that.
Primary Reinforcement
Primary reinforcement is critical to puppy training. Primary reinforcement uses something that is inherent for the dog to love as a reward for good behavior. Some examples of primary reinforcements are food and rubbing the dog’s belly. Then your dog can learn the way to get what he wants.
As you train your dog, be certain to gain his attention the same way every time. Begin each command by using his name. Get is attention by using its name and make it follow what you want it to do. Dogs know their name and will be attentive when you speak it.
If you want to train a new puppy to walk on a leash, the first step is to put a collar on the young puppy while you are playing with him. It is imperative that the puppy become comfortable with his collar. This will allow for using a leash correctly and allow for ID tags for the pup should it wander.
Teach your dog to lay down on command. This command is a basic one that can be built upon. A dog that understands the “down” command can lower to the ground immediately in a risky situation, so it’s perfect for safety reasons.
Challenge your dog frequently. Test your dog on occasion, to be sure that he remembers what you have taught him and help him keep it fresh in his mind.
Does your dog pull on the leash? This is a common complaint that owners have with their dogs and it’s simple to fix. Go to the pet supply store where you can buy a harness for a few dollars, as harnesses reduce pulling so that walks are enjoyable.
Stop your pup from chewing on an object that they shouldn’t be if you catch them doing that. This will help your puppy understand what is acceptable and what is off limits.
Older Dogs
Older dogs are going to have their limits. It’s impossible to perfectly train older dogs because of the quirks already ingrained into them. Adopting dogs that are older can be more difficult to train. It is still possible to teach new things, but more focus should be given to negative behavior avoidance.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how to properly train your dog. Apply the techniques from this article and you will be on your way to having a well-behaved pet.