To form the right relationship with your dog, that engenders obedience, quality training is the key. During the training process, you and your dog will experience highs and lows. The more you know about your pet and his behavior, the more confident you will feel in your efforts. Equip yourself by reading the piece that follows.
Only reward your dog if they are calm. If your pet successfully completes a task, then reward him only if he/she is calm. Although you are certainly excited about your dog’s accomplishment, showcasing lots of excitement on your end can cause your dog to become too excited, which causes you to lose control. Stay calm and the dog will stay calm, and you’ll be able to reward it.
Make sure that your dog stays awake and active. Dogs can easily become bored. When a dog’s mind begins to wander, the training process loses its effectiveness. When your dog is exercised and is happy, training will be easier. Lead your dog on the path to fitness by walking or jogging every day.
When you train your dog, you need to establish control. Put yourself in an authoritative position, so that your dog knows to obey you. Your dog should not walk ahead of you, because that indicates a position of leadership.
Approach any unfamiliar dog with care. Walk slowly toward him and allow the dog to sniff your hand before trying to pet the dog. This helps the dog become familiar with your scent and engenders trust. As you become close to one another, fear will be diminished and opportunities to learn together will be increased.
Primary Reinforcement
Primary reinforcement is something that you can implement in your training sessions. This method involves eliciting the desired behavior by giving the pet a treat or reward upon completion. Primary reinforcement could be treats or giving your dog a belly rub. Then your dog can learn the way to get what he wants.
Try to get your dog’s attention when you are training him or her. Use your dog’s name when giving a command. Secure the dog’s attention and then state what you wish him to do. Dogs that are properly trained will respond when their name is said.
Avoid accidents when potty training your dog. Pay attention to the cues your dog displays to indicate that he needs to be outside. Pacing, whining and snuffling are common. Don’t put it off when your dog is doing these things. Take your dog outside and escort him to his favorite spot. Praise them for going to the bathroom properly. Eventually, he will learn to ask to go out.
Training sessions for dogs should stay short. The ideal time to spend on a task is about fifteen minutes. When you exceed this amount of time, your dog can become frustrated and set your progress back. Once done, praise your dog and play with him for a while.
Is your dog getting all their required nutrients? Dogs who eat crummy, low quality food will show hyperactivity, distraction and disobedience. Your dog will be more energetic if you give it food suited for dogs. Talk to your vet to learn the nutritional needs of your dog.
Make sure your dog knows right from wrong in all instances. Doing this involves setting firm boundaries for acceptable behavior which all family members are willing to enforce. This will quickly undo all of your hard work and training.
Does your pet strain and pull every time you put him on a leash? You aren’t alone in this, but it is easy to fix! Trade your leash for a dog harness. Harnesses can be more comfortable, and allow you to enjoy a walk without your dog pulling on its leash.
If you speak your dog’s name in an effort to scold or warn him, you should also try to utter it in more positive ways. 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.
Learn your dog’s body language. Dogs typically have a pattern before elimination. By learning your dog’s behaviors, you can immediately take your dog to his potty area to train him where to go to the bathroom. You will have an easier time of house training if you understand the natural tendencies of your dog.
Make sure you get a bed big enough for your dog. You can give your dog a bed that is sized appropriately, or consider an unconventional bed for your dog, such as a crib mattress. These are convenient because you can change out the cover and wash it when it becomes dirty. The crib mattresses are also waterproof which means they are highly durable.
If you want your dog to get in a sitting position, have them stand while you hold a treat above their head. Pass that treat over their head so that your hand moves behind them. He will end up looking up when following your hand. When your dog looks upward, he has a natural tendency to sit.
Bad Behavior
Always discourage any bad behavior you see. Be very firm when you say no to your dog. Yelling at or hitting your dog is never acceptable. This will teach your dog more bad behavior. Dogs tend to have short memories. If you do things much later, they won’t know why they ate being punished.
You cannot succeed if your dog refuses to heed your voice. This article gave you some great tips about how you can train your dog the right way. Stay patient and remember that dogs don’t always listen immediately. Your dog’s obedience takes repetition and time, so make sure that you understand that for success.