You really can train bad habits out of your dog. While dog training will not make your pet perfect, it will go a long way in making him more obedient and a better pet. Proper training helps any dog to become the perfect, loyal companion.
Every dog needs a calm and confident leader to feel secure. Any dog owner can show that he is a strong leader by encouraging and rewarding good behavior. Proving to your pet that you’re a strong leader makes training easier and establishes a bond between pet and owner.
When training, be specific about what you want your dog to do. Using vague commands like “no” tend to be ineffective. No only tells him that you didn’t like what he did, but not why. If you say “no” when he jumps on the couch, he may think you wanted him to jump higher. Use specific commands like stay and sit for better results.
If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, an easy way to train them out of it is to avoid giving them attention immediately before and after you leave. It may seem mean to the dog if you don’t say goodbye before you leave, but those long goodbye cuddles just give the dog a chance to get worked up.
When training a dog it is very useful for the dog’s owner to do some research into training. By learning how to train a dog the proper way one will make their job much easier. It can be done the most effective way and be the easiest for both the owner and dog to adjust too.
When potty training your new puppy, keep him on a strict feeding schedule. Offer food twice a day, at the same time each day, and take your puppy out to eliminate shortly after finishing the meal. Young puppies often need to use the bathroom quickly after a meal. Giving your dog the opportunity to go outside will get him on a schedule and help to prevent accidents.
One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is to ensure that you make it absolutely clear to your dog what it is that your are disciplining it for. This is important to avoid confusion and to teach the dog what is desired and what is undesired behavior. An example of what to avoid is hitting your dog hours past and in a different room from where it shredded your couch.
When you begin training your dog, do not give him a treat or reward just to make him stop misbehaving. This only makes the dog more likely to do those bad things again. For example, you should avoid offering a treat to the animal to stop it from barking.
In order to potty train your dog, it is important to praise them when they are successful at going outside. Dogs are more likely to continue their good behavior if they know they will get praise afterward. Tell them what a good dog they are, and give them a hug and kiss.
To relieve separation anxiety in your dog, give him plenty of exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog. Slip in and out of the house without making a big deal out of it. Sometimes saying goodbye to your pet increases his anxiety. If you notice that your pet has associated something like picking up keys with leaving, then start doing the action several times a day to quell negative feelings.
When teaching your dog how to walk on a leash, hold your ground if he attempts to pull you. Plant your feet and do not budge until the dog stops pulling. Your dog will realize that he gets nowhere by pulling. When you are able to get him to walk beside you, reinforce the habit with treats.
Do not punish your dog for chewing unless you catch him in the act. For example, if you discover your shoes have been gnawed on, your dog likely does not remember. Punishing him for chewing hours later has no impact and will not help the behavior. Instead, remember to reinforce positive behavior and look for opportunities to correct inappropriate behavior when it occurs.
Keep in mind that older dogs have limitations. You will be unable to train an older dog perfectly; embrace their personality and quirks! Keep in mind that older dogs tend to have ingrained routines already. While teaching new habits to him may not be impossible, it is sometimes better to focus on negative things you can change and get used to living with the other habits.
Set a routine as much as possible when training your dog. Dogs respond well to regular activities such as exercise or bathroom breaks, so putting them on a routine encourages good behavior. Feed your dog at the same time each day to further establish a routine, and be as consistent as possible.
If you want to have a responsive dog that is easy to train, be sure to talk to your dog. Always use the same words to mean the same things and speak in the same tone of voice when you want certain results. Your dog will not be able to understand every word you say, but he will develop a reliable vocabulary if you take the time to teach him. This will make obedience training much easier.
Never punish your pet for coming when called. A good recall command is essential, not only for obedience, but for your dog’s safety as well. It may seem obvious that calling your pet to you for punishment is bad, however when you are angry at a dog who has darted out of the yard or refuses to come for a bath, it is easy to forget. By keeping their “come” command associated with positive experiences, you can be assured that next time they get away from you, they will reliably return when called.
Dog training shouldn’t be a battle, and dog owners are now learning that. By having the right frame of mind and following the right steps, anyone can train their pet. Dogs are often trained better whenever it is their owners doing the training.
