To be a responsible pet owner, you must be willing to train your dog. Teaching your dog basic obedience skills, how to follow instructions and proper socialization will assure your pet is both happy and safe. This article contains tips that will help you make sure that your dog is properly trained.
If you encounter a dog with whom you are not acquainted, you should do so slowly and with the back of a hand outstretched. This gives the dog the opportunity to recognize your scent and start to trust you. Once a dog is used to your scent, it will trust you and obey your orders.
Start your dog’s training by doing something it could easily learn. Aside from being rewarded instantly for your success, this will also give your dog the important basis of what is an acceptable behavior or trick. This will give you positive results from the onset.
If your dog leaps on you, hold his paws and squeeze them a little so he will know this is not acceptable. This won’t hurt your dog, but it will give them an uncomfortable feeling that will help teach them not to do it again. They will stop doing this behavior since it will be associated with a negative feeling.
Toilet training is as much your responsibility as theirs. Learn to recognize what your dog does when he needs to go out. They might walk back and forth or whine. Do not wait more than a couple of minutes. Grab a leash and take your dog to a designated spot in your yard. Praise him for a job well done. They will eventually ask to go outside.
Continue training throughout the dog’s entire life to ensure positive results. Even though your dog is an adult, it must keep learning. If you provide positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors, your dog will continue to be obedient, and when you provide your dog with consistent discipline, negative behaviors are less likely to occur.
Use the dog’s name often when training to ensure that you have their attention. Over time and repetition, the dog will begin to understand their name and that they are being spoken to. Choose a shorter name that can stand out from other terms.
As you train your dog, have an eye on other dogs when walking yours. Sometimes, other dogs can get aggressive, as you want to keep your dog out of harms way. If you notice an aggressive or antisocial dog, keep your dog away from it.
It is vital that the dog’s leash remain loose when you are trying to train it to walk on a leash. When you take your dog out for a walk, he will want to explore. Their enthusiasm will lead to a large amount of strain being applied to their leash. To discourage this behavior, encourage your dog to walk beside you with a leash that has some slack.
Is your dog getting the food he needs? Like kids, dogs can also act out if they are not eating well. Your dog will have better and more consistent energy if you are feeding him a species-appropriate diet. Your vet should be able to provide advice.
Teach your dog the difference between right and wrong. Everyone in your house needs to enforce these strict rules. Any inconsistency by others in applying the rules you have trained your dog to follow will undo your hard work.
Training should be seen as fun time to your dog. Only train your dog in ten to fifteen minute sessions. A dog has a limited attention span so any longer will cause him or her to become bored. The rewards offered to your dog need to be plentiful (especially at first) and varied. Make sure to shower your dog with praises when he performs well; dogs love it! When the dog enjoys their training, they will listen better.
Often, bad chewing habits are caused by anxiety. Leave your dog safely crated with a tough nylon or hard rubber toy, and he will have something to work on until you come home.
Hopefully these tips have given you some ways to make your dog a friendly pet you’ll be happy to show off. Having a well-trained, obedient dog eases stress. You can train your dog yourself, or find a professional to help, no matter which way you go, having a well-trained dog will offer you and your dog many happy years together.