You had dreams of your dog being as smart and kind as Benji, but sometimes it feels as if he is more like a hell-hound. You can do just a little training, and you will see that your dog will be a better dog in no time.
Try to see things from your dog’s perspective. Things that seem simple to you may not be as simple to your dog if he is having a hard time learning them. Rather than abandoning the training, consider what the dog might be thinking. Understanding their perspective can help you have sympathy for their position.
Look out for your dog’s nutrition the same way you would look after your own. If the dog’s diet is poor, it is not good for their health. Without proper nutrition, your dog can suffer both physically and behaviorally. Training may very well go easier when dogs are given the proper nutrients in a healthful diet.
Dogs generally focus on one thing while ignoring everything around them, unless something interrupts that intense focus. Repetition and practice will result in your dog waiting to take cues from you rather than being distracted by other things.
Do not tie up your dogs too closely. The chain of one dog could become wrapped around the other and, as the dogs struggle to free themselves, one or both could be injured. If one dog is larger than the other, it could accidentally tangle the cord around the smaller dog’s neck, causing it to become unable to breath, and possibly die.
When trying to train your dog, avoid accidentally reinforcing negative behaviors. Do not pay attention to your dog or pet it if he does something you are not happy about. For instance, do not pet the dog lovingly if it jumps on you the minute you arrive home if this is something you are attempting to cure.
By training your dog, you are helping him to become a rule follower. Often, people feel that they don’t need to continue working with their dog after it has finished training. But pets and humans actually share the same types of habit learning systems; if they don’t practice they will forget! So, it’s very important that you review your training with your dog regularly.
Anytime your dog does something good, make sure you reward him. It is important that your dog is able to establish a connection between the command and the action that gains a reward. This is the best way to ensure that the dog understands the difference between right and wrong.
When toilet training your dog, try to avoid accidents! Watch for signals that your dog has to go out to relieve himself. Pacing back and forth, snuffing and whining are some common signs. If you see any of these signs, get him outdoors! Get his leash so you can take him to the designated potty area. Give him praise for proper toilet behavior. He will soon learn how to ask for the bathroom.
Training sessions for dogs should stay short. A dog has a short attention span, and a 15 minute training session is just about right. After training make sure to play with your pet and show him a lot of praise.
Teach your dog to learn ‘down’. This will be particularly helpful in emergency situations. “Down” is the perfect command to keep dogs out of danger.
Even if it’s hard for you, you should keep calm around your dog. Remember that your dog thinks differently than you and they do not speak our language. Physical gestures and tone are the only ways he will know what you are trying to communicate. You must always remain level-headed during training sessions. If you cannot do so, it is time to end the session.
You should use the name of your dog as a positive reinforcement more often than you use it as a reprimand. Your dog should know that you can call their name when they are happy and mad so they are not always afraid of coming when they hear their name.
Training your dog will take some time out of your day, so plan accordingly. Dogs need both consistency and repetition to learn. Also, if you take the time out to spend with your dog they will be more obedient. This will help him start to see you as a leader.
When starting out with training, be aware that untrained dogs may bite their owner. If your dog isn’t trained, they may believe you are in his pack; however, they may believe that they are the leader, not you. Understanding the alpha behavior you’ll need to exhibit will allow your dog to learn that you are indeed the leader. Even calm dogs may lash out and bite.
The majority of pet owners are pleasantly surprised to find out that training their dog to learn basic commands is a process that takes only a short amount of time each day and fits smoothly into their lifestyle. Moreover, they are often astonished at how quickly their dog begins to respond to the commands. Try out these tips if you are having problems with your dog.
