For a beginner, canine training can sometimes be intimidating. You can become overwhelmed because there is so much information out there. Follow these tips to gain a better understanding of puppy training.
Be sure to keep your dog active and engaged a great deal of the time. Dogs require mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. When a dog’s mind begins to wander, the training process loses its effectiveness. Your dogs will obey more quickly if you keep them well exercised. A long walk or a brisk run are great ways to get rid of some of your dog’s excess energy.
Dogs have a tendency to zone in on one particular thing until something else grabs their attention. When a command is reinforced properly and often enough, your dog will begin to shift his focus from the distractions around to you in order to wait for your signal.
Teaching your dog to not tug and pull when on his leash is an important part of his training. When they walk properly, it makes both of you safer when you both go walking.
Be patient when training a dog. This ensures that you both do not get frustrated. Remember that your pet desires to please you but he gets confused due to him not understanding what you want him to do.
You need to teach your dog right away that they should drop or back away from something when you say “leave it.” Teaching them to “leave it” will stop them from destructive chewing and coming in contact with something that could potentially hurt them.
Training Sessions
During your training sessions, you should keep a close eye on the time. If you spend too much time doing one training exercise, your dog will become bored. Training sessions should be limited to about 10 minutes of time or less.
The first step in training a puppy is to make sure he knows his name. Call him by name frequently, and teach him to come when called. These are the first words your puppy should learn. Spend plenty of quality time with them, so that they know that they can trust you. Once your puppy trusts you, it will be easier to train him.
Keep track of the number of treats you give your dog. Your dog needs to watch his weight, too. The calories in treats are often overlooked, but they should also be taken into consideration when planning your dog’s diet.
You should never spend more than a few minutes training your dog. The ideal time to spend on a task is about fifteen minutes. When you exceed this amount of time, your dog can become frustrated and set your progress back. Always reward your dog with praise and attention after a training session.
Training should be disciplined but also fun for the dog. Training sessions need only be 10 to 15 minutes, so the dog reaps the benefits within his attention span. Give out different kinds of rewards. Your dog should enjoy lots of praise for a job well-done. If you make training fun, he will enjoy listening, too.
It is important to improve your dog’s recall ability. Your dog should come back to you regardless of the environment they’re in. Always reinforce this behavior and introduce it in all kinds of new environments. Recall may save your dog’s life one day, so don’t skip out on this training, even though it can be time-consuming and challenging.
Anxious dogs tend to chew things, including your upholstery. Putting your dog in his crate with a chew toy will reduce the chance of destructive events and give him something to do while he waits for you.
For each time you use your pets name in a negative way, such as a reprimand, make an effort to use it positively 2 or 3 times. 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.
Avoid punishing your puppy when you first begin obedience training. Try to prevent bad behavior, but if it does happen, show your dog what he should have done. Training sessions help build communication with your pet, and help you build a good relationship.
Be sure to avoid giving dogs improper signals when they behave poorly. If you act amused when you dog misbehaves, it is likely to repeat that behavior. This is sure to hinder your training and cause great frustration. Consistency is the key to accomplishing your goals when training your dog.
When you begin training your dog, do not assume you will not be bitten merely because you believe being human makes you the leader. Until you have established yourself as the pack leader, you dog may think that the position is his. You have to display alpha behavior in order to show your pet you are the boss. Dogs that don’t understand human behavior can bite even if not provoked.
Positive Reinforcement
When training, it’s important to reinforce positive behaviors. Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desired behaviors, not on punishing undesirable behaviors. Negative reinforcement does not encourage trust between you and your dog. When you give positive reinforcement, your dog will crave it.
Some dogs are so scared of thunderstorms that they are literally a danger to themselves. If your pooch is overly afraid of thunder, talk to your vet. Your vet might give you a sedative for your dog to take before thunderstorms. Medication is usually only prescribed when behavioral modification is not enough to address the anxiety, but it does have its place.
This article should have given you some valuable information for training your dog. You will find that you’re a happier dog owner when you use these tips.
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