Lots of dogs go to shelters simply because their owners become disappointed in them, though this does not need to be the case. A well-trained pooch can be a welcome addition to any family. It doesn’t have to be hard to train your dog, you will see that if you spend a little time it can be easy.
If you have to give your dog a verbal correction, be sure that they are sharp, to the point, and short. Never ramble on about the dog’s failures. Just say no and direct them on what it is you desire for them to do. Also make sure that the volume of your voice commands their attention and lets them know that you mean business.
The space you share with your pet should be calm and relaxed. Play time is good to have with your pet, however, your dog should remain calm when you enter the room. Try to ignore your dog when your first enter the room because this will help to keep them calm and reinforce that you are in control.
Dogs generally focus on one thing while ignoring everything around them, unless something interrupts that intense focus. Dogs learn by repetition so with continued training, your dog will immediately focus on what you are saying.
Have verbal cues so that your pet will know exactly when they complete a command correctly. The word “yes” can be the bridge between rewards and good behavior.
Your dog should exercise a minimum of one hour per day. Also, ensure that you regularly train your dog and take him or her out for bathroom breaks. Without adequate exercise, your dog will find it difficult to focus during your training sessions. An exercised dog is a happy and responsive dog.
Training your dog requires you to be firm and authoritative. Don’t just yell at your pooch. Learn how to balance compassion with strictness. This approach helps to reinforce your relationship with the animal.
Continue training your dog throughout its life to make sure that its good behavior persists. Your dog isn’t completely trained once he stops being a puppy. You need to concentrate on positive behavior to make sure of ongoing obedience. When you do this, negative behavior should stop.
When it comes to training a puppy, it is not a good idea to provide too much information and training at one time. Puppies have short attention spans, therefore keep your sessions short and provide ample amounts of praise. If you try to rush and throw in too much information, your puppy will not remember the lesson and you’ll have a harder time training him.
Keep a spray bottle handy to deter your dog when it tries to bite people or things. Your dog will quickly learn that bad behaviors cause bad outcomes. In no time you will have a well behaved pet of which you can be proud.
Unwanted Behavior
Praise your dog often so that they look forward to training sessions. Positive reinforcements include treats, smiles and pats on the head. Never reward unwanted behavior as the dog will also relate the unwanted behavior to something positive as well.
Ensure you frequently put your dog in social environments at an early age. Your dog will only learn how to behave around people, dogs, cats and so on by experience. You will stave off any behavior that is unsavory in the future.
Inform yourself on any specific grooming issues with your breed. While some dogs just need a few baths a year, other breeds have to be clipped and cleaned more frequently. This will keep your dog fresh and reduce the chance of illness.
When you reprimand your dog by using his name, follow it up with using his name in a positive manner at least three times. He should know his name isn’t associated with something bad.
If you catch your puppy chewing something that he should not be chewing, put an immediate stop to it. Switch out the inappropriate object for an item that belongs to your puppy to allow him to realize what is and is not okay.
A majority of dog bites can be attributed to a fearful dog. This happens when dogs feel frightened, trapped, or threatened. Using fear tactics are never a smart way to train a dog. Doing so may result in injury to you. Your dog will be ready and willing to regard you as the dominant one.
If you are starting to train your dog, do not think that they will not snap at you. An untrained dog might think that you’re part of his group, and he may think that he’s the leader. The more you know about the typical behavior of an alpha, the easier it will be for you to demonstrate those behaviors as rightful leader. Even the calmest dog may bite you if they don’t understand your behavior.
Don’t shout at dogs that bark. Yelling to correct barking may be positive reinforcement for many dogs because they fail to realize you aren’t reacting to their barking. The confusion allows the dog to thing that they were right to bark, and therefore it is better to remain calm.
Challenging though it may be, you can have a dog who is obedient, loving and healthy. It is important to train your dog and give him lots of attention and love. Abide by the advice above and you are on your way to owning a happy pet.