The dog that you have just adopted may seem less like Lassie, and more like Cujo. However, there’s still hope! A bit of training goes a long way in reducing bad dog behavior.
If you are keeping your dog in a crate, it’s important that you utilize tips for helping them realize this is their home. At meal times, try to place their food in the crate by leaving the door wide open while they’re eating. The dog will recognize the crate as having delicious food.
Crate training is very beneficial, but there can be difficulties that the following tips can help with. If your puppy seems reluctant about entering the crate, place a chew toy inside and close the door to the kennel. The puppy will want to enter the kennel to retrieve the treat. If they do go into the crate, offer up praise and a treat.
Dogs have great focus and can focus on one thing, ignoring everything else, until something breaks their attention. After you do this enough times, it will become easier for you to get your dog’s attention. The dog will look for your signals.
The first step of training your pooch should be to assert your control. You must establish your dominance first and foremost, or your dog is unlikely to obey. Do not let your dog walk ahead of you when you go on walks.
Have a treat ready to reward your dog after it properly completes a task you ask it to do. The treat helps your dog to know that you think he has done well. This is the proper way to make sure the dog knows the difference between good behavior and bad.
Begin the dog training process with a simple task. You will both get instant gratification and establish a good foundation which you and your dog can build on. Using this method as you train produces better results.
The daily training sessions with your dog should be fun. Playful interaction strengthens the bond between you, and will have your dog striving even harder to please you during training. Training can be pretty fun, but make sure you get plenty of non-training play in too.
Use the same hand signal or voice command to get your dog’s attention. Start each command by calling the dog’s name. Then, say the command. Dogs are more likely to respond immediately whenever their name is called because they are aware that you want their attention.
Positive reinforcement is the preferred training method for dogs. Praise the dog with petting, upbeat words and the occasional treat when he does something right. Never hit or shout at your dog. This is not a particularly effective form of training. Instead, make sure you are firm, patient, consistent and positive so that you can achieve the best possible results.
Incorporating canine training into your life can yield amazing results in a short period of time. Consider giving some of the ideas outlined above a try, in order to improve the bond between you and your dog.