Taking on the task of training your dog might feel intimidating if you have never tried it before. You can have information overload when you think of all the resources you have at your disposal. Follow these tips to gain a better understanding of training your dog.
Correcting a dog should be done quickly and concisely. Don’t scream and yell and throw a fit. Just tell them no, and point them in the desired direction. Let your dog know that if you raise your voice they need to pay attention.
A dog needs a healthy diet as much as a dog owner does. A bad diet is unhealthy for dogs for many reasons. Not only is this bad for their health, but it can influence their behavior towards you and their environment. By making small changes to your dog’s diet, you can alter their receptiveness to the training.
Give your puppy something it can chew to help it lessen teething pains, like a toy or a piece of rope. Keep any items you treasure out of reach of your puppy while it is teething. Replace the tasty item you do not want chewed with a designated chew toy. If painful teething is the problem, let the puppy chew on a wet washcloth that has been frozen.
Try to mistakenly avoid reinforcing any behaviors that are unwanted when doing dog training. In other words, you must avoid showering your pet with treats or rewards in response to performing some unwanted behavior. For instance, avoid rubbing the dog’s head every time they jump up when you get home.
Be cognitive of the duration of time you and your dog devote to training sessions. Dog attention spans only go so far, so make sure not to go on too long. Keep the lessons down to about 10 minutes or so.
Split treats into bite-sized pieces to keep rewards from affecting your dog’s daily diet, weight or overall health. Many people overlook treats when considering the animal’s diet, but they certainly add up, especially during active training.
A squirt of water in your dog’s face can discourage biting and scratching behaviors. This helps the dog learn which behaviors are not acceptable. Your dog will learn to associate these behaviors with the water and will stop doing them.
You should never spend more than a few minutes training your dog. For a given task, fifteen minutes should be sufficient, since working for longer periods can cause frustration and backsliding. You should praise your pet for a job well done after training.
Is your dog getting the food he needs? Like kids, a dog’s mood can be severely affected by their diet. Your dog’s diet should be adapted to its species and its age so your dog is full of energy. Talk to your vet to learn the nutritional needs of your dog.
These tips have hopefully given you some insight and usable suggestions. Properly training your pooch can result in a happier, reduced stress life for the both of you.