Part of the responsibility of pet ownership includes making sure your dog is well-trained. Proper training includes behavioral and obedience instruction, as well as socialization, all of which enable your pooch to interact safely and appropriately with other people and animals. Here are some suggestions on how you can train your canine or find a good trainer.
It is important to have a consistent training method when crate training young puppies. When you allow the puppy to come out of the crate, you have to immediately and without fail give him the chance to relieve his bladder. As time passes, your puppy will start to be able to use the restroom at the appropriate times.
Primary reinforcement is good to use when training your dog. You need to give your dog a treat if they are good. Some examples of primary reinforcements are food and rubbing the dog’s belly. This helps them to make positive associations with the desired behaviors.
Ensure you get your dog’s attention using the same methods. Always start your commands with his name. Then, say the command. Dogs are more likely to respond immediately whenever their name is called because they are aware that you want their attention.
Use your dog’s name often to get and keep his attention. Use his name more when he is a puppy. By the time he is grown, he will automatically give you his attention when you say his name. Give your dog a relatively short name, preferably one that isn’t likely to be confused with other words.
You should always praise your dog for his good behavior while you are training him. Smile, offers treats and show excitement to relay to your dog that he is doing something positive. Avoid rewarding improper behavior since the dog will relate this to positive reinforcement too.
It’s important to remember that all of the things you do with your dog are building its behavior and personality. This is a critical fact, since you may inadvertently cause your dog to regress by teasing or laughing at bad behavior. Always be careful not to reward these bad behaviors to prevent your dog from becoming confused.
Regularly challenge your dog. Give him “quizzes” to make sure he still knows his stuff, even if you both know he does.
What do you do if your dog pulls against their leash? Many dog owners complain about this behavior; yet, it is easy to correct. The right harness will cut pulling quickly and can be purchased at any pet store.
Try using a crate to assist you in housebreaking your dog. Be sure to let your dog out regularly and on a consistent schedule to make crate training effective. With some time, dogs that have been crate trained will not have accidents inside.
Choose from a range of treats to give your dog as training reward. Make the training treats extra special so they won’t confuse them with normal treats. Making the treats special and unusual will help your dog obey your commands faster. They understand they are getting something special and will work harder for it.
Dogs who have medical issues will have to have tailored training strategies. For instance, an arthritic dog is not going to be able to crawl any long distances. Training a dog can keep his brain sharp. However, you should make sure these sessions are not causing any pain.
Always give your dog the tools for success. If you are training it to stop chewing things it shouldn’t be chewing on, give it things that it can chew on. Make sure that your dog can’t get into trouble by chewing on the wrong item. Items such as nylons, hairbrushes, as well as other common chewable, yet dangerous household items, can be a danger for your dog. He can choke easily, so watch out for them.
Ensure that barking out of boredom is properly dealt with. It is your fault if your dog barks from boredom. This means your dog has no way of releasing pent-up energy; therefore, they are barking. Be sure to take your dog on walks daily and play with him often. If you can’t be around, leave your dog some chew toys.
Everyone in the family should follow the same rules when addressing your dog. For instance, your dog is going to get confused if you are saying “drop it” after he fetches a stick and your child tells him “let go.” The more consistency that your dog deals with, the better it’s chances of being properly trained.
Train your dog in little steps if what you want him to do is a bit more complicated. One example of a complex behavior is getting the newspaper. The first thing that your dog needs to learn is how to hold something correctly. Then he should be taught to recognize that item by name. He then should know how to pick the object up. Finally, your dog should learn to bring an object to you on command. Splitting a complex task into individual tasks is a good strategy, because the smaller tasks are easier to learn. Afterwards, the dog simply needs to learn to do them in the correct order.
If you do not want your canine friend chewing up all your possessions when you are not home, just keep them outside. If putting your pooch outdoors is not available to you, then just close doors to rooms you want left alone and make sure that other items of chewing temptation are out of canine reach.
Use these tips to help you to train the kind of dog you want to share your life with and share with others. Correct training methods facilitate easy, fulfilling relationships with pets. Training can be done yourself, or you may want to enlist the help of a professional; either way, proper training will bring you many rewarding years with your pet.