Training your dog is the responsible thing to do. If you get your dog out there to be social, and he is trained well, you will ensure that he will behave and be happier and healthier. You can work with your dog on your own, or get the help of a trainer. Here are some helpful ideas to get you going.
Consider things from your dog’s perspective. Sometimes a dog will be a slow learner, and this can be frustrating. Don’t give up- think like your dog! Looking at the world through their eyes could give you new insights about training them.
Create a calm environment whenever you enter the room the dog is in. It is okay to have play time, but when you enter a room your dog should be calm. When you ignore the dog on entry, they shouldn’t bother you about playing.
Use control to acknowledge positive behavior while training. Whenever your dog does something right, it’s important that they remain calm. Though you might be satisfied with this type of accomplishment, excitement may lead to your pet having diminished control over the situation. If you are able to maintain your calm, you can expect your dog to maintain calm too.
Ensure that your dog eats well. A poor diet is bad for your dog on several levels. It is damaging to their health as well as making them more prone to bad behaviors. Sometimes, it is possible to improve your pet’s behavior and cooperation simply by improving the quality of his or her diet.
Your dog must respect you in order for training to work. Be friendly with your dog, but also be firm. Your dog should not walk ahead of you, because that indicates a position of leadership.
Don’t waste your money on expensive training products, such as shock collars. In addition to being very expensive, they usually do not work as well as the more traditional training techniques. They aren’t engaging in positive reinforcement either. Usually if you do this your dog will respond in the wrong way.
To house train your pup, get him on a set feeding and potty schedule every day. This will give you the opportunity to understand when your dog needs to go to the bathroom. A schedule is a great way to train a dog how to hold in their needs till they can go out.
Continue training your dog using the same techniques over time. When you have a whole family in the house, they should all use the same training techniques. When your dog only needs to understand a single set of directions, it is easier to learn and adopt the desired behaviors.
Keep tabs on the number of treats you give to your dog as a reward in order to avoid making him gain weight. A lot of pet owners don’t think about how much weight their dogs can put on with treats.
A loose leash is important for training. When a dog gets the chance to explore new sights, sounds and smells on a walk, he often becomes very excitable. Since they are excited, they may pull on their leash. Great dog owners don’t allow this behavior. Instead, they encourage their dogs to walk with some slack in their leash.
Start your training by teaching the “down” command to your dog. This command helps them build upon other commands, or it can be used in emergency situations. A dog that knows his “down” command well can drop to the ground at a moment’s notice in a testy situation, making it a great command to keep on hand for safety’s sake.
Hopefully these tips gave you the information you can use to have a more enjoyable relationship with your dog. Training your dog well makes your dog more fun to have around and cause less stress. Training can be done yourself, or you may want to enlist the help of a professional; either way, proper training will bring you many rewarding years with your pet.