Congratulations on being a new dog owner. What happens now? If your dog has good training, you will find that you have a happier pet, and you will have more fun being a dog owner. The following tips will tell you the inside scoop on how to get your pup trained properly.
Stay in control as you reward your dog’s good behavior. When the dog correctly follows your commands, you can certainly give a reward. Although you are certainly excited about your dog’s accomplishment, showcasing lots of excitement on your end can cause your dog to become too excited, which causes you to lose control. Stay calm and expect the same from your puppy.
Make sure that your dog’s crate is the right size for him if you are going to use it to train him. Keep in mind that puppies grow big. You must be able to accommodate the growth your puppy will experience as he ages. A larger crate allows for continued comfort and happiness. There should be ample room for the dog to lie down and turn comfortably.
As you start training your dog, establish verbal cues that let your dog understand when they have performed something correctly. Even a simple monosyllabic spoken ‘yes’ can help the dog to connect the desired behavior with the imminent reward.
You need to show your dog how to properly walk while on a leash. This helps keep both you and your dog safe when going on walks.
Start your dog’s training by doing something it could easily learn. It will provide almost instant gratification, and it will show your dog what is expected. This will give you positive results from the onset.
Always use similar calls or gestures to attract the dog’s attention. Say your dog’s name, followed by the command. This gets his attention, then you can follow through with the command. Usually, dogs quickly respond when you can their name and are aware you want to grab their attention.
Make sure your dog understand he does not need to respond to the word “no”. Find positive and supportive ways to train your furry friend. Using the word “no” will not help your dog learn that a behavior is unacceptable. All dogs differ and their training ought to be customized.
Try to limit the amount of accidents your dog has while toilet training. Watch for signals that your dog has to go out to relieve himself. Constant whining, sniffing, and pacing around the house are all very common signs. If you see your dog exhibiting these behaviors, jump right up and grab the leash. Grab a leash and take your dog to a designated spot in your yard. Praise your dog when he does his business where he is supposed to. Soon, your dog will signal you when he needs to go outside.
Don’t forget to praise good behavior. Positive reinforcement, shown through your tone and attitude, lets your dog know he has done a good job. Be careful that you do not inadvertently reward unwanted behavior or your dog will think you want him to repeat it.
When training your dog, stay mindful of the particular grooming needs of whatever specific breed your dog is. Some breeds require a lot more grooming than others, sometimes on a weekly basis. Grooming your dog is generally a pleasant experience for the dog, resulting in a happier, cleaner dog and the extra attention will put you in the position of noticing any health problems your dog may develop.
A useful tip for training your dog is to avoid rewarding the dog for bad behavior. This will teach your pet that it could do whatever it is that it wants and that it has control over you. For instance, do not give treats to the dog when it barks.
It is important that your dog return to you on command. He should always come when called. Teach your dog to come, even when there are distractions. Recall has the potential to be life-saving, and therefore training in this vital area must occur, despite its difficulties.
Challenge your dog often. Make sure your dog knows what he is doing by testing him!
Giving lots of treats for good behavior is important to do with your puppy. After awhile, you should begin to taper off on the treats and switch to praise as the most commonly used reward.
Crate Training
Crate training is an effective way to house train a dog. To make crate training work, make sure you take your dog out often and on a stable schedule. With a little patience, crate training can make a dog very unlikely to make a mess in the house.
While you can definitely teach an old dog any new tricks, keep in mind conditions or medical issues which can limit his capability to behave in certain ways. For example, if your dog has arthritis, asking him to crawl long distances may not be very practical. Training may actually improve a dog’s mind functions, and that can be great for old 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.
Being well trained makes for happy dogs, and happy dog owners as well. The tips listed here will lead you to training your dog success.