Training a dog can be quite a difficult process, if you go into the process blindfolded. Make sure you know what you are doing before you get the dog, otherwise, it will be a disaster. This article will give you the dog training information that you need to make your new addition to the family, well-behaved.
You will want to use your pet’s name to get his or her attention. Use your dog’s name when calling to go for a walk, for meal times, and for play. This will teach your dog to pay attention when you say their name. Never punish a dog for coming to you when you call them.
Swatting or hitting your dog is not a good training method. If you attempt to train your dog in this manner, all you are teaching them is to be scared of you. Eventually, the dog will stop listening to voice commands, and will only respond to you raising your hand. Getting a dog’s loyalty through fear is a mistake on the owner’s part.
Using a crate when you’re not at home can be very effective, especially for a young puppy. The crate keeps your puppy safe and secure, and also protects your home from chewing and bathroom accidents. Your puppy can learn to feel comfortable and protected in his crate home while you are away.
Dogs quickly learn whether or not you really expect them to respond to your commands every time or if they might be able to get away with not obeying on occasion. Don’t send false messages! Don’t give your dog a command unless you are prepared to follow through and insure your dog obeys that command.
It is important to take a leadership role while training your dog. This does not mean that you need to try and force your animal to bend to your will. Acting as a teacher and showing him what you want him to do by rewarding his actions will help your dog succeed.
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.
Young dogs can easily be trained to retreat to their crate when they are tired. When crate training your dog, always keep the crate in the vicinity of where you and the dog are interacting. When he tires from play he will naturally gravitate towards the crate because to do so doesn’t isolate him from you.
It may take several times for your dog to learn new commands. It’s very common to repeat a command up to 50 times before your dog can learn it. Firmly and steadily repeat the command. Remain patient and eventually the command will be learned.
When training your dog, it is important to add play into the training sessions. This will help keep your dog interested. Play with his toy and show him how much fun you are having. This will help a dog with low motivation to stay interested. When you want him to take a toy, don’t shove it at him, make him take it from you.
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.
Choose the right dog crate size if you wish to utilize the crate effectively to train him. Keep in mind that they get larger as they age. Choose a large enough crate to offer extra space beyond your dog’s dimensions. Your dog should be able to easily turn around and sleep without being overly crowded.
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.
If your dog barks and growls at strangers in your home, do this: leash your dog, make him sit, wait until his attention is on you, and hand the leash, in full view of the dog, to your guest. Then wait until the dog is calm again, with the guest giving commands as needed. This teaches the dog that your guest ranks above him in “the pack” and he must accept them. When the dog starts to react again, repeat the exercise.
Have a treat ready to reward your dog after it properly completes a task you ask it to do. Your dog should realize why you are happy with him. Your dog will soon learn the difference between good and bad behavior.
Accidents are a part of training your puppy to go potty outside. Make sure to clean up accidents as soon as they happen. If the accident is left behind, the smell will make your pet think it’s okay to eliminate in that spot. It will be difficult to discourage his eliminating in that spot once a habit is formed. Visit a good pet shop to find products created especially for odor control.
Since we have all seen dogs that have not been properly trained, we do not want one of these dogs in our own household. Take the dog training information from this article and turn your puppy or dog, into a well-behaved part of the family.
