You might have thought you had a good dog, but you could have ended up with a bad one. Proper training can transform your puppy, into the Lassie you thought you’d brought home.
Question how your dog views things. Puppy training can get extremely frustrating at times, especially when your dog isn’t learning commands that you think are very simple. Try to think the way your dog does. Trying to see things the way that your dog does may be able to give you an idea of the right kind of training for your dog.
Monitor your own behavior to ensure you aren’t reinforcing your dog’s negative behaviors by mistake. This means that you should never reward your dog, with treats or attention, for doing something you’re trying to train it out of. If you wish to keep your dog from begging for table scraps, don’t encourage him by slipping him a morsel one night or allowing others to do so.
The first thing your dog must learn is who the boss is. You have to show your dog that you are in control or he will not obey or respect you. Don’t let your dog control the direction or pace of your walks.
Keep treats on hand to reward your pet for doing good. Begin by getting the dog to lay down. Then, use the treat to draw his head from one side to the other. He will follow the treat by rolling over. Whenever your dog does actually roll over, say “roll over” out loud. Repeating this over time forms a mental association in your dog’s mind that eventually causes him to roll over on command. Be persistent and do not give up; it might take a while but will be worth it once they learn it.
Refrain from using extreme devices for training your dog, such as a shock collar. They often don’t function as well as advertised and are far more expensive than conventional training methods. Plus, shock collars are not positive reinforcement when your dog is exhibiting proper behavior. These tools often do more harm than good.
Choose a set phrase for house training your dog. Each time you venture out for a bathroom trip, use this phrase to keep your dog focused on the task he came outside to accomplish.
You must teach your dog how to walk correctly when the leash is attached. This will make your walks together a pleasure and not a source of frustration.
When training your dog, one of the first commands they should be aware of is the “drop” command, which lets them know they should drop any items they have in their mouth. This command is a great way to avoid damaging furniture or eating dangerous things.
If you want to make sure your dog will behave throughout life, it’s important that you always train them. A dog’s learning doesn’t stop when it leaves its puppy stage. By reinforcing their behavior, you can ensure you dog will continue to obey. Also, by disciplining negative behaviors you can ensure your dog will be well behaved.
Many dog owners are quite surprised at how quickly they can achieve good results with even a basic training your dog routine. If your dog is getting on your nerves, it’s time to put the above tips to use.