Training your dog can be a delightful, rewarding experience for both of you. Training doesn’t need to be time-intensive, particularly if you’re addressing issues in small steps and creating manageable goals. This article will outline several small but savvy techniques that can turn small problems into big success for you and your dog.
If you have gotten a dog or puppy and you have crate trained them you should always try not to keep them in there for more than four or five hours at a time unless it’s overnight or it’s just a once-in-awhile thing. If you have to have them in the crate for longer periods of time, a dog probably wasn’t the best option for you.
A good plan when training your dog is to keep your sessions short. When you have multiple, short sessions of training, as opposed to one long set, your dog will stay interested and will anticipate more. Keeping your pet motivated by short interval sessions will be effective and have a stronger impact.
Your breeder should begin socialization with your puppy, but it is up to you to continue it. It is important for a puppy to get used to people and the environment around him, but he will need to be protected from becoming too overwhelmed or scared. Your job is to encourage your puppy’s confidence as he goes out into the world.
If your otherwise well-behaved and housebroken dog starts exhibiting poor behaviors, such as urinating indoors, take it to a vet to rule out any medical problems. Many medical issues can cause a dog to act out. Don’t punish your sick dog for showing you that it is sick; help it.
While dog training with a leash, make sure that you are keeping the collar snug, yet a little bit loose. When the collar is too tight, it can actually make the dog want to pull you. A little slack can go a long way when you are dog training with a leash.
A great way for your dog to learn new skills (or brush up on some old ones) is to attend classes at your local dog training center. If you are not sure of where to take him, your friends or veterinarian may be able to help you find a place that best suits your needs.
If your dog is running away from you, don’t try to chase him. Instead, call him by name and give a command, such as “come.” Your pet views chasing as a game and thinks you want to play along. The exception to this tip would be if your dog is about to enter a dangerous situation and has not responded to your commands.
Some dogs have enormous reserves of energy that can cause the dog to act crazy through out the day. For dogs like this a fenced in yard or electric collar fence can be a useful tool to allow the dog to run around in a contained area. The dog will have more exercise and be more relaxed when it comes inside.
Participating in a group class can be a very effective way to train your dog. Group classes are almost always less expensive than individual training sessions. They also offer your dog the opportunity to socialize with other pets. Look for a smaller group though, so that you still have plenty of one on one interaction with the trainer.
When house training your new puppy you need to follow a strict schedule. Get your puppy outside to eliminate first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and every couple of hours in between. This will help him to learn that elimination happens outside. It also prevents pee scents (which are attractive to your dog) from being in the house to begin with.
Don’t punish good behavior. Many dog owners make a big mistake during training for recall by having the dog come for reprimanding. This will only teach your dog that responding to his name is a negative event, and will discourage such behavior in the future. Make sure your punishments never incorporate desirable commands.
Never punish positive behavior. If your dog successfully goes to the bathroom outside, and then you leave him, it is as if you are punishing him after he has achieved the results that you desire. Instead, reward him by playing ball with him for a while or rubbing his belly.
If you are going to dress your dog up for Halloween, don’t be too elaborate. After all, your dog won’t have any idea why you are doing such a silly thing, and he may be quite distressed or embarrassed by it. Just do something simple like a bandanna or something that will fit easily on his collar. In this way you will not run the risk of having your dog bolt or hide or engage in some other unexpected, potentially dangerous behavior.
Your dog needs attention but you need to show him affection or play in a way that trains him to see you as the leader. When a dog tries to get you to pet him constantly or asks you to throw a ball for hours, it may be because he assumes he is your leader. Ignoring his requests for constant attention, and ignoring the ball until you are ready, helps him to understand who is in charge.
Make sure everyone around the dog knows your rules. It can be confusing for a dog if the adults say not to give the dog food but the kids are sneaking food to him under the table. Make sure that everyone who spends time with the dog knows that you are trying to train him so that he gets consistent messages.
As you can see, starting a dog-training routine doesn’t need to be a chore. Your dog is designed to be eager to please, so consider this time spent as time invested in your relationship. Your dog will be happier with clear boundaries and a proper relationship, so consider starting your routine today!
