Dogs don’t think the same way that humans do, so don’t treat your pooch as if he is intellectually equal. Trying to talk to your dog like it’s a person will only frustrate you both. This article will help you understand how your dog thinks and improve your communication and training skills.
As you work to crate train your dog, it is important to convey the notion that the crate is their home. You should put their food in the cage and leave the door open if it is time for them to eat. This will cause them to associate good things, such as eating, with their crate.
Your dog should be eating the right amount of healthy food. If your dog isn’t getting what he needs from his diet, he will have a hard time concentrating during training. It can not only damage their health, it can also influence their behavior. Improving your dog’s diet can make training him easier.
To house train your pup, get him on a set feeding and potty schedule every day. This will give you an idea of when the dog is likely to have to go, so you can take it outdoors to take care of this matter before an accident occurs on your rug. Being consistent will teach the dog to hold it until it is time to go outside.
Make sure your dog knows how to obey, to reduce the frequency of their barks. When your dog barks, show them a treat and repeat the order, for instance, ‘be quiet’ until it stops barking. Then, they can receive the treat. If you do this a lot of times your dog will know if they are not barking they will get a treat.
Use your dog’s name often to ensure you have its attention. Do this consistently during the first several weeks to get your dog to pay attention to you. It is important to use a name the dog easily understands.
Don’t ever reward destructive or bad behavior. This will only teach the dog that it can do what it wants and has power over you. This includes things like treating to avoid barking.
When you’re consistent with your dog, they’ll be better able to hold off on their urge to eliminate. If at home, be sure to spend some time with him and bring him outside every 50 minutes. When he does use the bathroom outdoors, give him lots of praise. If your dog has an accident in the house, never harshly reprimand it. Screaming at your dog only frightens him, and is not going to make him understand that the behavior was wrong. Bathroom breaks are required after meals or after leaving the crate.
You need to teach your dog what is right and what is wrong. You have to have consistent boundaries from everyone in contact with the animal. Anytime someone else deviates from what you are teaching, your efforts are less effective.
There is no denying that dogs possess certain innate urges and behaviors, and therefore it is necessary that they be allowed to exhibit them on occasion. Dogs need a healthy diet too, along with a place to get exercise and lots of stimulation.
Don’t teach your dog bad habits by reinforcing them. If you’re acting amused while your pet is behaving badly, he may think his behavior is good. Your reaction will be confusing to your dog and extend the time it takes to reach your training goals. Even if your dog does something hilarious, be consistently stern in your corrections of misbehavior.
You should not let your dog drag you when you are walking him or her. You’re supposed to be the leader, not him. Try a training collar or a very short leash as a way to start your training, and always make sure your dog is heeled when you pass doors or enter any gates. Keep in mind you’re leading.
Sometimes dogs do bite, regardless of who you are. Until you have established yourself as the pack leader, you dog may think that the position is his. Understanding what alpha behavior you need to show your dog will help your dog understand you are the leader. Even calm dogs will bite they are confused about human behavior.
Older Dogs
While it is possible to teach older dogs new tricks, it is essential that you are mindful of any medical conditions or issues that it may have. For instances, dogs with arthritis should not be asked to crawl for extended periods. Training can be helpful for the cognitive functioning of a dog, and that is good 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.
After learning some helpful hints on how to get through to your dog and train it to behave to your expectations you simply need to follow what you have learned. After changing your dogs behavior to fit with the tips suggested you can properly train your dog.