Training any dog of any age or breed can be frustrating if you don’t have the right strategies and techniques in mind. There is a true secret to dog training, and it is in the knowledge that you have and the understanding of the dog you are training. You need to know their behavior and the way they learn best. These tips can get you off to a great start.
Be consistent in your role as pack leader with your dog. Without proper leadership from you, your dog will see this as an opportunity to establish themselves as the pack leader. Everything you do in respect to training your dog should follow this rule. Being the pack leader with your dog is a lifestyle change that will be rewarding for your pet.
Do not train your dog through fear of physical punishment. Teaching your dog to respect your commands and dominance will create a healthy and stable pet. Dogs learn to respect the pack leader in the wild by being dominated, not attacked. Physical punishment can lead to an irrational and often violent pet.
While training your dog, observe his body language and general behavior closely. Look for signs of enthusiasm. Is his tail wagging? Does he follow you around? This shows he’s ready to learn. If you see your dog is scared, bored or nervous, stop what you are doing and reevaluate.
Consider your dog’s personality as you begin your training program. Make sure to start slowly if your pet has aggressive tendencies. If you try to exert control over a dog that prefers to be dominant, your pet may react aggressively toward you and derail your training plans.
When training your dog for specific commands, be sure to use the exact same wording during everyday life as you do during training sessions. If you select “down” for “lie down”, use “down” every time you want the dog to lie down. Changing up the terminology can confuse your dog and interfere with training.
When your dog does not do what you want, tell him “No!” then redirect him. Be patient and calm. Your dog wants to please you, but sometimes dogs just don’t understand what is expected of them. Never hit or yell at your dog. If you yell and hit, your dog will just think you are out of control. You want your dog to trust you and respect you as the pack leader, so stay calm and consistent.
Use the dog’s name often when training to ensure that you have their attention. Make sure to use the dog’s name constantly when you first have him, so he can make the connection with his name and paying attention. The best dog names are ones that are short and are different from other commands.
A good dog training tip is to be aware of the body language you use. Dogs pay close attention to our body language and it’s important that you are sending the right message. Talking too much can also confuse dogs, so it’s best to be succinct with what you’re trying to say.
Find out what motivates your dog as a training reward, and save it for training sessions to get maximum results. Some dogs love a chance to chew on a special squeaky toy or ball, while others adore a certain brand of treats or tiny chunks of fresh baked chicken. It never hurts if the dog is a little hungry so the treats seem even tastier.
A good dog training tip is to hire a pet sitter to watch your dogs when you’re going on vacation, instead of leaving them in a kennel. Kennels are a terrible place to leave your dog when you’re away. In kennels, animals are often neglected and it’s not uncommon for them to become ill.
Start potty training as soon as possible. While an eight week old puppy will not have the vaccines required to go outside for long periods of time, they can have short trips outside to learn how to do their business. Every time they do their business, treat and praise excitedly. Your puppy will be a potty champion in no time.
Make sure you listen to your dog. What is he telling you? Your dog’s behavior will often give you a window into his mind. Destructive dogs are often bored or anxious. Anxious dogs may act inconsistently with strangers. No matter the trouble, your dog is telling you how he feels when he behaves in situations.
Do not issue a command to your dog that involves two words that do not go together. For example, telling your pet to “sit down” does not make sense; either tell him to “sit” or ask him to get “down.” Using contrary phrases delays the training process because your dog does not understand what to do.
Try to command dogs with one word or a small phrase rather than a lengthy phrase. Smaller commands are easier to remember and recognize from other people, whereas longer phrases can be confusing to a dog. Make sure everyone uses the same phrase to command a dog to avoid confusion.
Dogs often initiate play by using their mouths. You can teach them that mouthing people is not an acceptable behavior. If your dog mouths you (that is, places a part of your body in his mouth), simply stop all play. Turn your back away from your dog and give him a “time out” of sorts. He will soon learn that mouthing means that he will not get to play, and he should eventually stop engaging in this behavior.
Figure out your training goals. Do you want a dog that obeys every command perfectly, or do you just want a good canine citizen with basic household manners? Take in to account how much time you have to train your dog, and the limits of the particular dog. Some dogs are easy to train, whereas others take a long time to learn each command. If you don’t have the time to train your dog, find a good trainer who specializes in the particular breed.
If you want to get started in dog training, you have to start with a great deal of information so you can best understand what your dog is going to respond to. All dogs are different, and all can be a bit difficult to train if you aren’t using the right tips, such as these found in this article.
