Virtually every negative dog behavior, including barking, growling, and aggression, can be prevented or counteracted with proper training. In cases when these behaviors can’t be completely eliminated, they can be minimized by using these tips. By following a solid training program, your dog can really be your best friend.
When crate training a new puppy or dog, help the dog realize that the crate is its home. At meal times, try to place their food in the crate by leaving the door wide open while they’re eating. Thus, they will associate a good thing like yummy food with the crate.
You need to reward your dog to be successful. Quantity and timing are important when it comes to rewards. Unless you administer praise and treats as soon as the dog exhibits the desired behavior, he will not be able to connect the behavior to the treat.
Training Sessions
Spend just the right amount of time training your dog, and do not wear it out. Begin with shorter training sessions and gradually increase the time each day. You will see how long your training sessions should be before you lose your dog’s attention.
Repetition is the key to success when teaching a dog a new command. It may take 25-50 tries before your dog understands a command consistently and thoroughly. Try to maintain as much patience as possible, for the sake of your dog.
Train your dog on a regular basis to make sure he understands the rules of the house. Often dog owners will stop enforcing the rules that their dog learned in their training courses. Some dogs will revert back to negative behaviors if the training does not continue. Therefore it is very important to maintain a good set of rules for your dog.
Stay away from training devices such as shock collars. They may not work very well and are far too expensive. They can cause your dog to be confused about all their behaviors. This technique can yield negative results.
Walk Properly
You should train your dog to walk properly on his leash. When they walk properly, it makes both of you safer when you both go walking.
In addition to regular walks and dog training sessions, you should make time to let your dog exercise for at least one hour every day. Without adequate exercise, your dog will find it difficult to focus during your training sessions. Keep in mind that a dog that’s been exercised regularly is happier and more responsive to your commands.
Always train your dog with positive reinforcement. Reward your dog with happy words, petting and an occasional very small treat when he pleases you. Do not yell at your dog or hit him. Not only are those things ineffective, but they are also cruel. The ideal results from training your dog come from efforts that are positive in nature with consistent and firm applications.
When you are in the initial stages of training your puppy, teach him his name first to help create a bond. Use his name frequently, and make clear that you want him to respond by coming to you when you call his name. There is no other word your puppy should be taught first. Spend a lot of time with him or her so that trust can be established. This will make it easier to train him as he gets older.
While you are in the process of housebreaking your puppy, expect the occasional accident to occur. To help your training stay on track, clean up any messes right away. If your carpet begins to smell like urine and feces, your puppy will believe that it is the right place to potty and return to it again and again. You can buy a spray or carpet shampoo that will remove the odor.
You should teach your dog how to lay down. This is useful on its own, but also opens up other tricks. “Down” is the perfect command to keep dogs out of danger.
Training should be fun for your dog. Keep the sessions between 10-15 minutes, as this is about the attention span of most dogs. Give your dog rewards that vary and come often. Make sure to shower your dog with praises when he performs well; dogs love it! When you take a more positive approach to discipline, the process becomes far more enjoyable.
As this article has hopefully shown you, training your puppy or dog doesn’t have to be the stuff of nightmares. With a good mindset and adequate training techniques, your dog can be trained very easily. Dogs are very smart and well apt to learning.