Many people fall in love with puppies and dogs. Getting a dog can be a very gratifying experience. Having proper training with your dog is crucial if you want to have a good relationship with them. Once your pet knows what you expect from them, you will be able to leave them home alone without worrying. Keep reading for great tips to help you and your dog have an excellent relationship.
Give them chew toys for pain relief while teething, and keep everything else out of reach. Replace the tasty item you do not want chewed with a designated chew toy. If your puppy is in a lot of pain due to teething, a frozen wet washcloth is ideal for him to chew on.
Try a phrase that you will stick with to train your puppy when you are house breaking him or her. Tell the dog a phrase, like “go potty!”, whenever you go outside to help your dog keep the goal of going outside in mind.
If you need to approach a dog that you are not familiar with, approach it slowly and allow it to sniff your hand. This gives the dog the opportunity to recognize your scent and start to trust you. After the dog becomes familiar with your smell, he’ll start to trust you and listen to you.
Primary reinforcement is good to use when training your dog. This means using a beloved item to reinforce positive behavior. Use things such as treats or petting your dog to reinforce good behavior. This helps them to make positive associations with the desired behaviors.
As you train your dog, be certain to gain his attention the same way every time. Start commands by using his name. Get his attention with his name and then follow that with what you want him to do. Dogs are more likely to respond immediately whenever their name is called because they are aware that you want their attention.
In order to have a great dog, you need to learn control and firmness. Try not to yell though, as negative reinforcement does not work. Doing so improves the relationship between you two.
Teach your dog a silent command to avoid barking. If your dog barks, repeat the order, offer a treat when they stop barking and pet them to show you are satisfied. Only give them the treat when they obey the command. Enough repetitions will result in the dog associating the treat with the command and remaining quiet.
You should always praise your dog for his good behavior while you are training him. Smile, offers treats and show excitement to relay to your dog that he is doing something positive. Having these same reactions to bad behavior will teach your dog that whatever they are doing is okay.

Consistency is important during your dog training. Use certain commands with your dog, and ensure that all of your family members know and use them. Anyone needing to handle your dog should follow the same program, using reward for good behavior and taking care to never reward bad behavior. If different people in your household respond to the dog in different ways, it becomes confusing for the dog and less likely they will respond in the appropriate way.
When training a pet, it’s best to start out by giving them a treat every time they do what you want them to. Once he gets used to this system, cut down on the frequency of treat-giving until you’re only giving him a treat occasionally.
If you happen to be concerned with the dog’s agility, take some time to research various breeds and find the one you prefer. Any type of dog could learn how to participate in any type of sport. Great breeds that come to mind are Shetland sheepdogs and Australian shepherds.
Big dogs will need a large bed or sleeping area. It is possible to purchase large, rectangular beds that are ideal for big dogs; alternatively, you can get a crib mattress for your dog to lie on. These are convenient because you can change out the cover and wash it when it becomes dirty. Another great fact about crib mattresses is that they are waterproof!
Spaying or neutering your dog is recommended at six months of age. As soon as you have had your dog neutered start him in obedience classes. Pets that have been spayed or neutered are often more obedient. Your dog will be healthier, more content with his home life and may even live longer.
If you play fetch with your pet, you can demonstrate your authority by commanding him to retrieve the ball and bring it directly to you every time. Your dog will begin to think it is the leader if it can drop the ball and make you go and pick it up. By teaching your dog that he is the one who must bring you the ball, he can be aware of what is expected out of him.
It is hoped you have discovered a few tips to improve your relationship with your pet. Implement the information provided here as appropriate to your own unique situation. You love your dog, but it certainly helps to have a well-behaved pet. The key to being successful is training! Keep your pet well trained. Best of luck to your and your beloved dog — or dogs.