Taking the time to train your dog is one of the most important things you can do for him. Your efforts will be rewarded in years to come because you will have an obedient dog who knows and loves his position in the family. The information in this article offers insight into the importance of having a well-trained dog.
If you plan on using a crate as part of your puppy’s training routine, introduce the apparatus and its’ functions very gradually. Once they have grown accustomed to being in the crate with the gate open, try closing the gate and feeding them small treats through the crate. At first, only close the gate for a short time, then gradually extend the time as your dog becomes more comfortable. If they start to fuss, you are going too fast.
Be sure to keep your dog active and engaged a great deal of the time. Dogs can easily get bored. Dogs with no enthusiasm will be harder to train than active dogs. Your dog is going to be a lot more attentive when it has received enough exercise. Take your dog on long walks or runs.
Dogs tend to concentrate on one thing to the exclusion of everything else unless that concentration is interrupted. Your dog can learn to focus less and less, except for your commands, by using repetition.
Before you begin training your dog, you need to establish yourself as the alpha. You must command your dog’s respect by being able to maintain discipline, or his obedience will be out of the question. When you walk with your dog, be sure to keep him at heel since you are the leader.
When training your dog, use discretion and regard for your dog’s attention span. Dogs can only handle a short amount of training at a time, so don’t overdo it. Keep first training lessons to 10 minutes or less.
Bond with your puppy by making sure he learns his name before anything else. Always use his name, and expect him to come to you when he is called. These are the initial words your puppy must learn. Spending a lot of time interacting and playing with your puppy is the best way to establish a bond of love and trust. When he trusts you, he ends up being more responsive to all sorts of training.
Varying your vocal tones to suit different purposes can be helpful in puppy training. Use a clearly defined tone for different commands, encouragement or directives. This makes it easier for the dog to link your expectations with different behaviors. Be firm with your command, speak louder to reprimand your dog and take a softer voice to praise your dog.
To keep your dog from biting at furniture or people, or scratching at doors, spray him or her with a bottle of water. This lets your dog know that specific actions are not acceptable. Eventually, they won’t do these behaviors anymore and your dog will be obedient and playful.
You should do some research on the grooming of the dog breed you chose. Attention to your dogs grooming needs, whether it’s a weekly thing, as some breeds require or less frequently, gives you time to build a good relationship with your dog. 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.
As with most things, and this goes with canine training as well, don’t ever give up. Your canine will need to constantly be reinforced, or what you teach them can be forgotten. Your dog requires food, shelter, companionship, and instruction from you every day, throughout your relationship.
Patience can be hard, but it is necessary with puppy training. Your dog is not human and does not speak or understand English. Physical gestures and tone are the only ways he will know what you are trying to communicate. Therefore, make sure you stay calm, and if you discover that you’re too heated during a session, then take a break.
Challenge your dog on a regular basis. Quiz him to see if he remembers the commands, even if you’re already sure he does.
Consider using a crate when house training your dog. For effective crate training, you should take your dog out of the crate regularly and consistently. A dog trained in a create will have less accidents with time.
Utilize many different resources, including dog-training books and magazines, when training your dog. Consult with people who own the dog breed that you have to get suggestions. Use all available information to create a customized plan of action for training your dog.
Don’t ever assume that a dog won’t bite. It is important that you establish to your dog that you are leader of the pack. You should always give them the impression that you are the Alpha. Even calm dogs may lash out and bite.
As mentioned earlier, time spent in canine training is time well-spent. An aggressive dog can cause property damage and strain relations between family members. If you follow the guidelines that you have just read, you can begin to do the right thing and work with your dog.