If canine training is something new to you, it may be that you could benefit greatly from some tips and tricks. Ahead are some of the suggestions and advice you will need to meet your goals in dog training.
Specific feeding habits should be established for your dog. Make sure that they know when a meal is coming, so that they can get into a set routine. Before long, your dog will complete its meal before the time comes for you to take the dish away.
Ensure your dogs are active and getting a lot of exercises. Boredom often befalls an inactive dog, or he may find himself in a “mutt rut” with a dull and listless routine. Not to mention that a bored dog is going to be more stubborn during training. It is easier for your dog to focus if he is happy and well exercised. Go on runs or long walks together.
Dogs tend to concentrate on one thing to the exclusion of everything else unless that concentration is interrupted. Repetition and practice will result in your dog waiting to take cues from you rather than being distracted by other things.
Teaching dogs to roll over can be easy, provided some treats are on hand. First, have the dog lay down. Then, hold the treat over your dog’s head and swipe it above and around his head, causing him to roll over. He should then roll over while following the treat. While he rolls, say “roll over” and repeat this action until he is able to roll over with only the command. It will take some work, but keep on trying!
If you need to approach a dog that you are not familiar with, approach it slowly and allow it to sniff your hand. Extending your hand lets the animal familiarize himself with your unique scent, making him more receptive to a friendly interaction. When a dog recognizes the scent, they won’t fear you and will follow commands.
Short Training Sessions
Maintain short training sessions. Dogs have short attention spans. Having short training sessions will prevent training becoming a chore for your dog. If you do have long training sessions, break it up so your dog can rest a little bit.
Primary reinforcement is good to use when training your dog. This technique uses things that your dog loves as rewards. Primary reinforcement could be treats or giving your dog a belly rub. This way, the dog can learn how he can get things he wants.
When your pet hears you speak the word ‘no’, your dog must understand that a response is not expected. Positive reinforcement is the best method for training your dog. Saying ‘no’ does not teach your dog how to react. Dogs need tailored training to pull through.
Be very mindful of the way you speak to your dog when you train him. Dogs are more receptive to the tones their masters use than you might realize. Use a stern voice when you are correcting your dog.
It is important that you teach your dog proper behaviors from day one. Bad habits are hard to break, so start training your dog early. To avoid begging at the table, avoid giving the dog food off the table to begin with.
It’s to be expected that your new puppy will likely have an accident now and then. Your training will go more smoothly if you always clean up accidents right away. If your carpet begins to smell like urine and feces, your puppy will believe that it is the right place to potty and return to it again and again. There are a wide variety of odor control products designed to address just this situation, so head to the pet shop and ask about them.
One of the first things to teach your dog is to come to you when called. You should always have a pet that will come back to your area immediately when they are called. Build up this behavior step-by-step or distractions will take over. Recall is hard, but it can also be life-saving.
Consistency is the key to canine training. Make a list of the commands that you are teaching your dog, and be sure that everyone in your household knows them. Only reward for good behavior. Bad behavior must have its own reaction. If different people are responding differently with the dog, it will make training difficult and confuse the dog.
Don’t give mixed signals. Your dog picks up on your reactions to things so if you laugh at bad behavior they will take that as it is okay to continue what they are doing. Your reaction will be confusing to your dog and extend the time it takes to reach your training goals. Always correct him when the situation calls for it.
If you happen to be concerned with the dog’s agility, take some time to research various breeds and find the one you prefer. Competitive agility dog breeds include Shetland sheepdogs, Labrador retrievers, border collies and Australian shepherds.
If you catch your puppy chewing on something he isn’t suppose to be chewing, stop him immediately. Get some toys for your puppy to chew on and make sure he understands the difference by scolding or praising him.
Offer only your dog’s most favored treats when rewarding exceptionally good behavior, or when he accomplishes particularly difficult feats. Cheese or hotdog pieces can be very effective because they are not something your dog usually gets.
Clearly, good canine training technique is useful in teaching your dog everyday commands as well as fancy tricks. By using the above tips, you’ll soon become an expert at training your dog.