Dogs are dogs, no matter the size or temperament. If a person understands that mindset, one should not have any problem training whatever kind of dog they choose to get. Read on to find out how to communicate better with a dog by using the information that provides some help.
Have verbal cues so that your pet will know exactly when they complete a command correctly. A word like “yes” can be an effective bridge between the time that the dog exhibits the behavior and the time that they receive the reward.
Primary Reinforcement
Use primary reinforcement to train your dog. Primary reinforcement makes use of something that is already inherent for a dog to love getting as a reward when they behave. This can be in the form of treats or something that your dog loves to do. Then your dog can learn the way to get what he wants.
Always train your dog with positive reinforcement. Sweet treats or gentle petting are great rewards when the dog is behaving properly. Don’t shout at a dog or hit them. This is not a particularly effective form of training. Be positive, firm and consistent to get great results while you train your dog.
Spray your dog with water when it does something you don’t like. This will help your dog understand that certain behaviors will not be tolerated. Eventually, these behaviors will end and your dog will be well-behaved and play in the right manner.
Praise is key to reinforcing good behavior during training. Get excited, smile, and give treats to help your dog relate the good behavior to something positive. Be careful that you do not inadvertently reward unwanted behavior or your dog will think you want him to repeat it.
When it comes to having a well-behaved dog, it is important to introduce him to social situations early and often. Your dog will only learn how to behave around people, dogs, cats and so on by experience. This will help in reducing sporadic behavior when it comes to new environments, also.
How certain are you that your pet is getting adequate nutrition in its diet? If your dog is not eating the right kind of diet, they might become inattentive, hyperactive or even sick. There are specialty foods available for individual dog breeds. You can try one of these if your dog’s energy seems low. Ask your vet before changing your pet’s diet.
Work on recall with your dog. Your dog has to learn to come to you, regardless of the situation. Work on this behavior the most and make sure your dog follows your command. Recall will become very useful if your dog is in danger or about to attack someone, which is why you should spend some time on this command.
Dogs often chew because they are dealing with anxiety. Dogs feel secure when enclosed in a safe place such as a dog crate. You can offer him a safe chew toy so he does not become bored while you are away.
Make sure you are consistent when you train your dog. Keep the commands simple to understand so that everyone can use them consistenly with your dog. Behavior should be rewarded or not depending on the affect that is being sought. By having different responses from different people will most likely confuse the dog, which may make the training more problematic.
Dog agility is not suited for all breeds, so research a bit beforehand. Just about any dog can participate in agility sports, though Border Collies, Shetland sheepdogs, Labs and Australian shepherds are particularly good candidates.
Senior dogs do have some limits. Most older dogs will be harder to train since their own personalities have already settled in. A dog in his senior years may not be as receptive to changes and new behaviors. While teaching new habits to him may not be impossible, it is sometimes better to focus on negative things you can change and get used to living with the other habits.
Whenever you train your dog to play fetch, make sure you show them that you are in charge by having him bring you the ball. Suppose the animal simply picks up the ball and then drops it into the grass. If you take the initiative to walk to the ball and retrieve it, you will appear subservient. By teaching your dog that he is the one who must bring you the ball, he can be aware of what is expected out of him.
Older Dogs
It’s possible to teach older dogs newer tricks, but consider conditions or medical issues that might limit some behavioral training. For instances, dogs with arthritis should not be asked to crawl for extended periods. Training can help stimulate a dog’s cognitive functioning, which is beneficial for older dogs. Your first concern needs to be for your pet’s health, though. You don’t want to subject your dog to unnecessary pain or discomfort.
Make rewards something truly special, by using his favorite treats. Great treats such as small pieces of cheese or a dab of peanut butter can go a long way.
Make sure that your dog is up-to-date on all check-ups. If you are finding your dog is having difficulty with some aspects of training, or has regressed in his training, make sure he is in good health. Sometimes, dogs will mask discomfort, making it hard for you to tell how they are feeling. Sometimes changes in behavior are the only indication that there may be a health problem. For instance, aggression can be caused by pain, and a sudden increase in bathrooming accidents can be a sign of a UTI.
You need to understand the way your dog thinks and reacts before you can really comprehend why they are doing certain things. Having this knowledge can help one effectively train their dog. The owner knows more about their pet than anyone, and can give them better training.