Some dog owners become so frustrated trying to train their dogs that they end up putting them into shelters because they just can’t deal with them anymore. However, you can prevent this from occurring. A trained dog will be a healthy and happy member of your family. Making your dog this way doesn’t have to be hard, if you invest the time to do it with some simple steps.
Crate training requires extreme consistency. When your puppy gets out of its crate, you need to give it the occasion to relieve itself right away. As time passes, your puppy will start to be able to use the restroom at the appropriate times.
If you have to keep your dogs outside, never tie them up too close to one another. The chain from one dog could wrap around the second and the dogs could get hurt trying to get free. Particularly in the case of a large dog and a small dog, the animals may get so tangled that the smaller dog has his airway cut off and dies.
Establish a verbal cue to let your dog know when a command has been carried out to your satisfaction. Using a positive word such as “yes” will fill the time between the performance of the desired behavior and the delivery of the reward.
Whenever your dog jumps onto you, grab their paw and gentle squeeze to make sure they understand that jumping is not good behavior. It is uncomfortable but a non-painful experience for the dog. Before long, they will stop their habit of jumping on people due to this association.
Training Sessions
Maintain brief training sessions. Dogs have short attention spans. Having short training sessions will prevent training becoming a chore for your dog. Allow you dog a break every fifteen and then resume training if desired.
Stay firm when you are training your dog. Avoid yelling at your dog. It is important to be firm when issuing a reprimand and someone who adores them otherwise. This will help develop a strong bond during your training session.
Making your dog learn habits that are good from the start is very important. It’s far easier to teach a puppy good habits than it is to deprogram bad habits. If you do not want the dog to beg for table scraps, then never give it any food from the table to start with.
When traveling with dogs, be certain to pack all the dog will need in terms of food, sleep accessories and toilet supplies. In order to have a pleasant trip, food and water bowls, bathroom bags and paper towels are necessities. There is no need to bring along the bag of dog food; you can buy some when you reach your destination.
With a little work, you can train your puppy to hold off going to the bathroom until it is safely outside. Take your dog outside every hour to help teach him this is where you want him to use the bathroom. When he goes potty outside, tell him he did good. Never scold your dog for going in the house. He is unaware of the problem, and shouting will be ineffective. Take your dog out soon after meals and after coming out of the crate.
Your dog should enjoy training. Try not to make training sessions any longer than 15 minutes. That will keep his attention. Reward your dog generously, when warranted. Give your dog plenty of praise and this will make him happy. Making training fun makes listening fun, too!
Working on your dog’s recall is essential. You dog should know to go back to you every time that you call him. Training your dog in small increments will help him to obey no matter what else is going on. This important lesson can save your dog some day.
You should be constantly challenging your dog and re-teaching it the tricks you’ve previously taught it. Test what he knows by giving commands, even if you are sure that he has the skill mastered.
If you catch your puppy chewing on things, stop him. By doing this your puppy will learn which items he can and cannot chew then, when he is unsupervised, he will be less likely to chew your belongings.
Older Dogs
Older dogs are going to have their limits. Older dogs are unlikely to be completely trainable, as they will already be accustomed to certain behaviors to some extent. Keep in mind that when you adopt a dog that is older, it may have developed certain habits. It’s possible for them to learn new tricks, but it’s best to eliminate the negative behaviors that can be altered and get used to the other ones.
As discussed in this guide, having a healthy and happy dog is not hard to have. Training your pet, offering him plenty of love and attention, and being mindful of your dog’s needs are key. Abide by the advice above and you are on your way to owning a happy pet.