Dogs need to be programmed correctly, much like a TV remote. The potential is there, but without intervention, it is useless. If you follow the tips in this article, you can easily train a dog.
The first rule to remember when you begin to house train your puppy is that what you feed them will eventually come out the other end. Feed your puppy three times regularly each day. You can then schedule your walks at the right times to prevent unwanted accidents.
If you plan to incorporate a crate in puppy training, choose one that corresponds to the size of your dog. You should keep in mind that your dog will get bigger. Pick a crate that will be of suitable size for the adult when the puppy matures. The ideal size would be one that doesn’t make your dog crowded when turning around or laying down.
Make sure food and outside time are scheduled to help break your dog into being an inside dog. This will help you know when you have to take your dog outside, before he ruins your carpet. A schedule will train your dog to know when he will get to go out next.
One of the very first commands you should teach a new puppy is the “leave it” command, which tells them to drop an item and step back from it. This will help prevent them from chewing on your furniture or other items, as well as prevent them from having dangerous items in their mouths.
If your dog is jumping on you, grab his paws with your hands and gently squeeze them to deter his behavior. If done lightly, it won’t hurt the dog, but it’ll make them uncomfortable. They will quickly learn to avoid doing it in order to avoid the sensation.
When training your dog make sure you always get his attention in the same manner. First, say his name, then the command. First, call his name then give him a verbal or gesture command. Dogs know their name and will be attentive when you speak it.
Continue training your dog throughout its life to make sure that its good behavior persists. Training does not stop when your dog leaves his puppy stage. When you work with your dog consistently to produce the best behaviors, you help your dog to remain healthy and happy. Discipline will keep him in line.
Overworking a new puppy with new information will only lead to trouble. A puppy’s attention span is short and it has a limited amount of energy, so sessions should remain short and positive. Overdoing it could cause them to forget what was learned, and they may see the training as negative; thus, making sessions harder for you later.
Be aware of the other dogs when taking yours for a walk. Don’t assume you can pet a dog, some of them are aggressive. If you come across a dog that seems aggressive avoid it.
Use a spray bottle filled with water to prevent your dog from doing things it should not do, such as scratching the furniture or biting. This teaches them that these behaviors are unacceptable. Eventually, these behaviors will end and your dog will be well-behaved and play in the right manner.

Don’t forget to praise good behavior. Get excited, smile, and give treats to help your dog relate the good behavior to something positive. Having these same reactions to bad behavior will teach your dog that whatever they are doing is okay.
Remember that all of your training will mold the personality of your dog. This is a critical fact, since you may inadvertently cause your dog to regress by teasing or laughing at bad behavior. Do your best to lead your dog in a positive direction.
You never want to give your dog a punishment during training. Instead, focus on preventing unwanted behavior. If your dog misbehaves, you should try to demonstrate the preferred action. Training sessions help build communication with your pet, and help you build a good relationship.
In the beginning, give your dog a food treat each time it successfully obeys a command. After awhile, you should begin to taper off on the treats and switch to praise as the most commonly used reward.
If you catch your puppy in the act of chewing on an inappropriate item, stop it right away. This will teach him what is appropriate to chew, so that he’ll be less likely to chew on your belongings when you’re not around.
Older Dogs
Understand that more mature dogs do have some basic limitations. Most older dogs will be harder to train since their own personalities have already settled in. Many older dogs already have developed behaviors that seem impossible to break. You may be able to improve his behavior, however, so focus on negative habits you would like to alter.
Never allow the dog to pull you around. You lead the dog, he does not lead you. Make use of a quality training collar as well as a short leash when you start training, be sure you keep the dog at a heel position as you walk and always enter doorways or gates ahead of the dog. Don’t forget who is in charge.
While you can definitely teach an old dog any new tricks, keep in mind conditions or medical issues which can limit his capability to behave in certain ways. For instances, dogs with arthritis should not be asked to crawl for extended periods. Training is good for keeping a dog’s brain active, which is helpful to old dogs. Ensure you aren’t causing your dog any pain when training an older dog.
When you help your dog bring out his learning potential, you just have to be consistent in training him. Your dog will take pleasure in learning commands and will love to see you happy when he does something right.