It is often said that one of the greatest stress relievers is to have is a pet, particularly a pet dog. Dogs are often brought to therapeutic facilities to soothe patients and bring them joy. Of course, if you have ever had a brand new pet dog at home, then you know that it can bring just as much stress as it does smiles. The best time to start training your dog begins when it is still a puppy. However, no matter what the age, instilling effective training in your dog is very beneficial now and in the long run. These are some ways that you can get the most enjoyment out of your pet through dog training.
All dogs need daily exercise and it can be an important part of your training efforts. Daily exercise shows your dog that he is a member of the family, as well as letting him know you are a strong leader. Exercise encourages his confidence and provides you with wonderful bonding opportunities.
Taking a dog on a daily walk, or even two, is an essential part of obedience training. a dog without exercise is not a calm dog, and it’s very hard to train a dog in an excited state. It is best to take them out before any rigorous training exercise so that they are tired and in a submissive state when you begin to teach them.
When you are training your dog and establishing your leadership role, do not be adverse to letting the dog lick you on the face. This is common behavior in dogs when dealing with the Alpha in the pack. Do not discourage this behavior as it can confuse the animal and confuse your role because you do not show proper response to this servile behavior.
Dog training is not something that is easy to do properly, which means you should do your homework. Learning how to train your dog is almost as important as learning about dog behaviors and how they interact in a pack. Knowing what your dog expects from a pack leader makes training the animal much easier.
Make sure to get everyone involved in training. If you are the only member of the family working with Fido’s behavior, then the other members of the family are giving him mixed signals. Consistency is extremely important in dog training. Also make sure that everyone is using the same key words and rewards so that the behavior will be reinforced correctly. Off and down are two different things to a dog, so make sure you aren’t confusing him.
Your friends and family, in most cases, are not dog trainers. While those around you may have advice and opinions on how you should handle your dog’s training, it does not mean they are correct. This input may be well-meaning, however, you can ignore most of it if you have taken the time to do your homework.
Crate training is something that is accomplished over time. First, you should only expect your dog to stay in the crate for short periods of time. As your dog grows older you can gradually extend this confinement, which can eventually stretch out to much longer periods of time without any ill effect on your pet.
Reinforce desirable behavior from your dog. Don’t just rely on treats though. You can reinforce these behaviors through positive attention as well. Petting your dog and talking to him in cheerful tones can be a good incentive too. So can a new squeaky toy or a trip to the park.
If you are having problems with dog training, then you should look at your training routine. Dogs are much more susceptible to learning if you have a solid routine. All you have to do is keep repeating the commands you want them to learn repeatedly and eventually they will pick it up. Leaving you with a dog that is much easier to enjoy having.
Learn to read how your dog is feeling. By studying your pet’s body language, you’ll be able to guess whether it is feeling nervous, agitated, aggressive, or calm. If you can predict when a dog is about to behave badly, you can remove it from a bad situation before a problem develops.
Make sure your yard is free from burrowing wild animals to keep your dog from digging. Some dogs, especially hunting breeds, will dig when looking for prey. Finding humane ways to rid your yard of other animals can help to stop this troublesome behavior. Wild animals can be deterred or relocated for the sake of both your yard and your pet.
Your dog should know how to “sit” like he knows the back of his paw! The “sit” command is useful for a multitude of reasons, and is a behavior that can be built upon. Use a “sit” gesture that is intuitive for his body – in other words, he should always be looking up at your hand, which will help him sit instinctively.
It is important to be patient when teaching a dog how to use the bathroom outside. Every dog learns at his own pace and what may work for one dog may not work for another, especially if your dog is young or used to going to the bathroom inside the house.
Dogs often chew because they are dealing with anxiety. Putting your dog in his crate with a chew toy will reduce the chance of destructive events and give him something to do while he waits for you.
If you want your dog to be trained to your standards, it is up to you to put the effort in to see the results you want. You must absolutely love your animal, and they will be trained in turn and love you in return. If you love them, they will feel the connection and training will be much simpler.
Training your dog can definitely present many challenges as well as rewards. Following these tips and tricks for training your dog consistently will result in a better-behaved dog. The time put in now to implement these techniques means there will be more time to enjoy the company of man’s best friend.
