Training your dog can be a delightful, rewarding experience for both of you. Training doesn’t need to be time-intensive, particularly if you’re addressing issues in small steps and creating manageable goals. This article will outline several small but savvy techniques that can turn small problems into big success for you and your dog.
If you are getting a new dog, and you intend to train it, look for a younger dog. The old adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is somewhat appropriate here. Younger dogs are more receptive to dominance from a pack leader and will learn quickly in an effort to please. Another plus to this is that young dogs really enjoy learning new things, much like children do.
It is important to understand that training your dog will require a lot of patience and repetition. It often takes a dog between 25 and 50 repetitions before they are able to learn a new command. Getting frustrated will only delay your results and may hurt your relationship with your pet.
When training your dog, keep track of time during each session. Dogs can quickly lose focus when you prolong activities. Do not spend more than 10 minutes on each session.
Never use human shampoo on a dog. While it may be tempting to have your dog smelling like your favorite shampoo, most hair products for humans are far too harsh for a dog’s sensitive skin. If you are in a pinch and must use a human shampoo, try to use one formulated to be gentle enough for a baby.
When getting a new dog it is important to create a bond between the owner and the dog. One of the best ways to build this bond is by taking the dog on long walks at least two or three times a week. This activity creates a link between owner and pet and will also provide valuable training time.
Participating in a group class can be a very effective way to train your dog. Group classes are almost always less expensive than individual training sessions. They also offer your dog the opportunity to socialize with other pets. Look for a smaller group though, so that you still have plenty of one on one interaction with the trainer.
Allowing your new dog gradual access to all areas of your home will greatly aid you in training and will spare damage to couches, shoes and floors. As your dog learns not to do things like jump, scratch, and chew, open more doors to him. Many make the mistake of allowing full reign of all rooms, which really just offers the dog more opportunity to do the wrong thing.
To train your dog to stop begging for human food, you should completely ignore him when you are eating. If you pay attention to him, he will think he has a chance of getting your food, and therefore he will never stop begging. If you ignore him during your mealtime, he will soon learn that begging is pointless and stop.
Work on recall with your dog. Your canine friend needs to know to come back to you when you call out, regardless of what has their attention around them. These are things that have to be done to have a obedient dog. Knowing this command might save the life of your dog one day, so make sure that he follows it every time.
When training your pooch, patience is a virtue. All dogs learn at their own pace, and getting frustrated with your pet often adds to the dog’s confusion. Avoid punishing your dog for misbehavior and offer rewards for good behavior instead. Dogs love treats, but you can also reinforce the desired behavior with love and affection.
When training your dog don’t go all out. If you are working with a puppy only work on one skill a week, until your dog has mastered it. Keep your training sessions short and your dog will retain more. You are both less likely to get frustrated this way.
It terms of barking, take note of the sorts of things that cause your dog to bark a great deal. Once you understand what triggers the barking, you’ll know how to stop it. For instance, if the only time your dog barks too much is when visitors arrive, ask a friend to visit you to assist you in dealing with the behavior when the trigger event occurs.
Do some research on your dog’s breed before planning a training regimen. Some breeds respond differently to training methods, so learning about a specific breed can help both of you be successful during the training process. For example, some breeds respond better when training is mixed with herding activities. Other breeds are more receptive to acrobatic training.
Your dog needs attention but you need to show him affection or play in a way that trains him to see you as the leader. When a dog tries to get you to pet him constantly or asks you to throw a ball for hours, it may be because he assumes he is your leader. Ignoring his requests for constant attention, and ignoring the ball until you are ready, helps him to understand who is in charge.
Never physically abuse your dog or yell at them. A good leader takes time to research how to effectively train a dog, and does not need to yell or be violent. Swatting your dog with a rolled up newspaper or your hand only creates fear in your dog. Causing your dog to fear you causes your dog to act out in other ways which creates more problems.
As you can see, starting a dog-training routine doesn’t need to be a chore. Your dog is designed to be eager to please, so consider this time spent as time invested in your relationship. Your dog will be happier with clear boundaries and a proper relationship, so consider starting your routine today!
