So many people end up with unruly pets because of a fear of dog training that has stricken so many people. Why? Well, being uneducated in dog training is an easy way to remain ineffective in your attempts. You should be more proactive in learning more so you can help your dog to learn more. Try these tips and move forward in learning new tricks.
The best tip anyone can offer with regards to dog training is be the alpha. Dogs are looking for their human masters to be the pack leader. At all expense display confidence, firmness, and do not, under any circumstances show them weakness. They naturally want to follow a strong leader, so make sure that you present yourself as such.
When walking your dog on a leash, never keep the leash too tight. A tight leash creates a counter pressure response and can cause the dog to become uptight or agitated. Your dog may then pull, rather than walk correctly on the leash. Being less restrictive with your leash hold will allow for a more pleasant walking experience.
Reinforcement is a key element in dog training. Reinforcement only works, however, when it is executed with the proper timing. Excitedly saying, “Good girl!” just a few seconds too late has little positive impact on the dog’s future performance in terms of the desired act. Reinforcement for desired behavior should be immediate.
When you first bring your puppy home, those first few days are the most important. You should be patient, consistent, and persistent form day one with your new puppy. Be sure not to let your puppy get away with behaviors you are not going to allow and positively reinforce the behaviors you are wanting to see.
Next time your dog jumps up on you in excitement, tell them “Off” in a firm (but not angry) voice, gently push them off, and turn your back. The verbal command and action of moving them reinforces what the command means, and turning restricts their access to you. This accomplishes two things: a) your dog can’t jump on you anymore, b) your dog feels he loses your attention, which is the exact opposite of what he wants. This teaches him quickly not to jump on you.
When you are training a dog, it is crucial that you never use physical punishment when the dog behaves badly or wrongly. Striking your dog won’t teach them to listen to you; it will only teach them to be afraid of you. It may even train them to become aggressive towards people.
Spend time training your dog in a variety of locations and with different distractions. Once Fido sits reliably at home without distractions, teach him to sit outside, at the dog park, and in places with lots of people. This helps your dog obey commands reliably in any situation regardless of distractions.
To make your dog understand what you are expecting from it, you should reward it when it behaves well. Pet it when it obeys you, and use a soothing voice. You can even feed your dog a treat if it did something remarkably well. Make sure your dog understands why you are pleased.
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.
To ensure a well-trained four-legged friend from the start, make sure you practice consistency in all you do once you bring your new canine companion home. This means discussing all aspects of the dog’s care, needs and training with all members of your household. A dog that is getting yelled at by one family member for urinating in the house while another family member just quietly cleans up the mess serves only to confuse and frustrate the puppy. If all members of the family treat the dog uniformly, whether admonishing it or showering it with praise, the dog will learn more quickly, and all family members will have the ability to successfully command the dog with ease.
Varying your vocal tones to suit different purposes can be helpful in dog training. Command and praise should differ in tone, as should corrections. Commands should be firm yet sharp, whereas corrections require a louder tone. Natural voicing is good for praise and reinforcement.
By being consistent in toilet training, you dog will learn to wait until he is outside to relieve himself. When at home, keep your dog close and let him outside each hour. Every time your dog potties outside, be quick to praise him. Try not to get angry and reprimand your dog if he/she goes in the house. He doesn’t know better yet and punishment would serve no purpose. Allow your dog the chance to go out after meals and when he gets out of a crate/pen.
For dogs that tend to pull, consider the equipment you are using. The neck is the strongest part of a dog’s body, so walking dogs on collars will only work for dogs that are already very mellow. A head halter or an appropriate harness will help for pulling dogs. Harnesses should clip from the front, as ones that clip in the back may encourage pulling more.
When it comes to grooming activities, familiarize your pet with common handling as early as possible. Dogs require grooming regardless of breed and getting your pet used to having her paws, face and ears handled regularly makes the grooming process less stressful for both of you. Whether you do your own grooming or have it done professionally, train your dog to accept handling common to grooming.
If you want to tackle dog training head on, the best way to go is through the best learning possible. Get the research that you need to learn the strategies that are highly effective even for professionals. You should begin with the tips in this article and get smarter about teaching your dog better.
