FIDO a little too feisty? Are you furry best friend really more of a nightmare? It is important to implement dog training as early as possible for dogs. When you establish strict, consistent rewards and punishments for your pup early on, good behavior will follow. Here are a few training tips to get your dog on the right path.
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.
Always use the same words when giving commands to your dog. Using different phrasing for basic commands can confuse your dog. Saying “Come” today and saying “Come here” the next, in the dog’s mind, is like teaching two different commands, however, the behavior is expected to be the same. Keep it simple and keep it consistent.
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.
Watch what sort of activities you are encouraging your dog to do. Sometimes we may perform actions with our dog without realizing that they are training them to do something we dislike. If every time your dog chews something up you send him outside, you are teaching him that chewing something up is the key to getting outdoor time. Be careful with the actions you take, especially ones that tend to be consistent practices.
Your dog’s behavior during walks should become habit through consistency. Teach your dog to focus on you and your physical clues about their behavior. Teaching them to walk with you should come naturally to them if you are leading and demanding the attention of your dog. If you are walking with purpose, it will be emulated by your pet.
Dog training sessions should occur at the same time each day, if possible. Dogs, much like children, can thrive on a set schedule. This pattern will promote a learning environment in which your dog is eager to learn at the given time. Sporadic training causes confusion within your pet and can prolong the training.
To keep your dog from barking while you aren’t home, you need to make him think you can appear at any moment. This will take some time on your part. Pretend to leave the house, but stay outside until the barking starts. Then open the door and deliver a stern “No!” This will make your dog think you are all-seeing and all-hearing. A few sessions of this technique, and you’ll train your dog to keep it quiet.
Begin training your dog with a task that will be simple for him to learn. Aside from being rewarded instantly for your success, this will also give your dog the important basis of what is an acceptable behavior or trick. Your training will become more productive.
Only work on one command at a time. Focusing on one command allows your dog to really hone that skill and get it right. By trying to learn too much at once, you risk confusing your dog, and they may have more difficulty remembering which behavior goes with which command.
Learning to listen to your dog will make you a better trainer of him. Animals are not robots that can be programmed and your dog has a personality with preferences and quirks, just like you. Understanding the nuances of your dogs expressions will help you decipher more in training and therefore, expand your ability to teach him.
Only give commands you are prepared to follow through with, or the dog will learn that it is all right to ignore you. If you give the command to sit, the dog must sit immediately or you will enforce the command with a finger pushing down on the lower back. Never give a command and allow the dog to choose whether to obey you or not unless you want to let the dog be the one in charge.
A great dog training tip is to learn to read your dog’s facial expressions. Dogs communicate a lot just through their facial expressions. For example, when a dog is scared or worried, their mouth may appear stiff and their ears will perk up. You can learn a lot about your dog just by watching their facial expressions.
Your rewards should suit your dog’s personality. You wouldn’t work for free, so why would your dog? Make rewards match the difficulty of the task. Regular treats are great for behaviors your dog already knows, but don’t be afraid to pull out something truly stinky and tempting to teach new challenges.
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.
The advice in this article is meant to help you improve your dog’s training. A dog’s behavior is reflective of its owner’s ability (and willingness) to control it. Although it may be hard to be strict on your furry little friend, you both will benefit from it at the end.
