The Beginners Guide To Training Your Dog

by | Apr 30, 2023 | Dog Training

TIP! The first step in dog training is commanding control. You have to show your dog that you are in control or he will not obey or respect you.

Your happiness, as well as your dog’s, is based on its training. If your dog is trained well, then you should both know what is to be expected of the other. Once he is trained, you will have less worry when you leave him home alone, have visitors or take him out in public. It might not have been an easy road, but you will soon know that the time you spent on training your dog will have been worth it.

TIP! Treats are necessary when teaching a dog fancy tricks like rolling over. Start by getting the dog to lay down.

You need to establish regular feeding routines for your dog. A predictable feeding schedule and removing the food promptly will teach them to eat their food quickly. Your dog will learn to finish eating before you take the dish away.

TIP! Approach an unfamiliar dog slowly, offering only the backside of your hand for his inspection. This gives a dog a chance to become familiar with your personal scent, which engenders trust.

Your dog’s diet should be healthy and balanced. A poor diet will negatively affect your dog’s skin, eyes, muscles, bones and joints. It can make your dog behave badly and is not good for their health. Something as easy as proper nutrition can make a dog more obedient.

TIP! Training should begin with the easier commands. This will give them instant success and serve as a building block for your training regimen.

You should not tie up multiple dogs where they can reach each other, no matter how friendly they are. The leashes or chains can become intertwined, causing harm to one or more of the dogs. In the worst case, a large dog might be able to strangle or crush a smaller one, entirely by accident, while trying to free itself.

TIP! Making your dog learn habits that are good from the start is very important. Dogs find it much harder to break existing bad habits than to learn new, positive ones.

It is important to have an appropriately sized dog crate. Keep in mind that they get larger as they age. Choose a crate that is sure to fit them suitably when they hit adult size. Your dog needs to have the room to get around the crate and not feel cramped.

TIP! To teach a young dog to behave while walking on a leash, start by initiating some good-natured playing. As you play, you can then place the collar on his neck.

You can show your dog how to do tricks, get some treats. You can have your dog sit or roll over. Next, hold a treat near the floor on one side of his head, slowly bring the treat up and over the dogs head to the other side. His nose will follow the treat, naturally making him roll over. As he rolls over say out loud, “roll over.” Repeat this until he rolls over with the command alone. Be patient while he masters this trick. He will be a star once he does!

TIP! Keep a spray bottle handy to deter your dog when it tries to bite people or things. This lets your dog know that specific actions are not acceptable.

Refrain from using extreme devices for training your dog, such as a shock collar. They might not work like they say they do and they cost too much. They can cause your dog to be confused about all their behaviors. These methods of training generally fail.

TIP! Once you decide to train your dog, it is very important that you continue with the training no matter what. Your dog will not remember his training if you are not there to constantly remind him of what you expect.

Come up with a phrase that you can teach your puppy during house training. When you take your dog out, repeat this command. This will help him form an association between being taken outside and doing his business.

TIP! Is your dog getting enough nutrition? Dogs can suffer from behavioral issues when their regular diet isn’t meeting their needs. You might be surprised by how dramatically a change in diet can affect your dog’s behavior.

Always use positive reinforcement to train your dog. Give your dog rewards every time he or she does something good. You should never yell at your dog, or physically harm them. This is not a particularly effective form of training. Be positive, firm and consistent to get great results while you train your dog.

TIP! Teach dogs a “down” command. You can use this command in emergency situations and to build on other training commands.

When you are in the initial stages of training your puppy, teach him his name first to help create a bond. Call his name every time you do something or want him to do something. Teach him that he needs to run to you when his name is called. You should make sure your puppy learns their name and knows to respond to it. Spending a lot of time interacting and playing with your puppy is the best way to establish a bond of love and trust. In this way, he will be more receptive to advanced training later.

TIP! As you train your dog, consistency is vital. Stay consistent across the board, including the tone that you use and the rewards the you provide.

Create a specific command to stop your dog when it barks. When it starts barking, show them the treat and say the command until it quits barking. Then, allow them to have the treat. When you repeat this action multiple times, your dog will eventually learn that the order means to be quiet.

TIP! If you are training your dog, it is best to use a variety of treats to reward your dog. Your dog will soon come to realize that training treats will not be run-of-the-mill fare, but special treats he will want to work hard to earn.

Use the dog’s name as much as possible to ensure that it pays attention. Call your dog by name as much as possible when you are first getting to know your pup; this will establish a connection between hearing the name and giving positive attention to the speaker. It is important to use a name the dog easily understands.

TIP! When looking for information on training your dog, there are many great resources: magazines, books, and specific breed books. Get ideas from people who have the same breed of dog as you.

One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is to not give up. You will need to give your dog continuous reinforcement, or he or she will go back to how they were before being trained. Training for your dog never ends, think about it in the same manner as sheltering and feeding your dog.

TIP! Don’t let a dog drag you around. You are the one giving the commands, not the other way around.

Anxiety is what can cause a dog to chew things up. You can also keep your dog from causing damage while you’re away by humanely enclosing him in an appropriately sized dog crate or some other small space of his own with a chew toy to keep him occupied.

TIP! When teaching your dog how to fetch, show him that you’re the leader by teaching him to bring you the ball at all times. The dog will think of itself as the leader if you pick up the ball after it drops it.

If you say your dog’s name in reprimand, remember to also say it several times in praise to counteract the negative effect. This helps your dog figure out that his name also can mean something good and that he should not fear you when you call his name.

TIP! You may have to be aware of a medical condition that your dog is facing. For instances, dogs with arthritis should not be asked to crawl for extended periods.

Start your training sessions with a treat for each successful command. Once your dog gets used to following your command, then only reward your dog half the time. Gradually reduce the amount of treats you give your dog until they only receive one on occasion.

TIP! Make sure your dog has had regular check-ups. If your dog seems to be regressing, take him for a checkup.

Remember that training your dog is about establishing a set of rules you both will live by. When these rules have been set and they are consistently followed, you and your dog will enjoy your time together even more! Remember that reinforcement is important if you want your dog to retain his new skills. Refresh your dog’s knowledge with exercises and remain strict. Once your dog is trained properly, your dog can do so much more.