All dogs need to be trained so that they can learn what proper behavior is and they can learn what improper behavior is as well. This article is helpful for learning how to properly train your canine.
Dogs generally focus on one thing while ignoring everything around them, unless something interrupts that intense focus. With frequent practice, your dog will begin to focus on you and the signals you are giving him instead of other distractions.
It’s important to avoid inadvertently encouraging inappropriate behavior if you want your dog to learn. In basic terms, this means refusing to reward your dog, via attention or treats, for doing any action that you are trying to get them to stop doing. For instance, don’t pat your dog on the head if it’s jumping up on you.
You should always say commands in the same tone and volume. This lets the dog know you are serious. It can also help the dog realize the distinction between disciplinary tones and other types of commands.
Have a treat prepared for rewarding your dog when they follow a command properly. After all, the point of rewarding him is to show him that he is following good behavior. You need to do this because your dog must know what they can and cannot do.
When approaching a strange or unfamiliar dog, approach slowly, while allowing the dog to sniff the back side of your hand. This gives a dog a chance to become familiar with your personal scent, which engenders trust. The dog will no longer be afraid after he is able to recongnize the scent and may begin to follow commands.
Avoiding accidents entirely is the best way to toilet train a dog. You need to know what they act like if they have to use the bathroom. Pacing and whining are common signs. Don’t hesitate to take your dog out whenever you notice your dog behaving in one of these ways. Grab his leash and take him to a place where he can safely eliminate. Reward the dog for using the bathroom outdoors. In time, the dog will ask when he wants to go outside.
Create a specific command to stop your dog when it barks. Use negative reinforcement to stop your dog from barking when it engages in this action. When your dog quits barking, offer him the treat. In time, your dog will learn to be quiet if he wants a treat.
Your tone of voice is very important when you discipline your dog. Dogs tend to be well in tune with how their trainers are feeling. If you want to correct bad behavior, try a disapproving tone with your dog.
Do not fatten your dog by being mindful of just how many treats he gets in one day. When trying to feed their dogs a healthy diet, many people do not count the calories in the treats. These can add up fast.
You should do some research on the grooming of the dog breed you chose. Some breeds need very little grooming, while others need to be groomed meticulously every week. This will keep your dog fresh and reduce the chance of illness.
When taking your dog on a trip, be sure to have collar and leash, food and water, your dog’s bed and plenty of plastic bags to clean up after your dog. Bring food and water bowls, waste baggies and treats for a good trip. Don’t worry too much about food though. You can buy it there.
If you wish to participate in agility classes, be sure to choose a breed of dog that does well with this sort of activity. Most dogs can learn agility and join competitions, but border collies, Australian shepherds and Labs usually do best in these competitions.
When your dog barks, pay attention to the environment or activity that causes excessive barking. Having an awareness of the triggers, can help you address the behavior constructively. For example, invite a friend over to assist you in training your dog if he always barks when that particular friend is around.
If you are going to play fetch the ball with your dog, establish that you are the master by not moving and waiting for your dog to bring the ball back to you. Suppose the animal simply picks up the ball and then drops it into the grass. If you take the initiative to walk to the ball and retrieve it, you will appear subservient. You need to make sure they give you the ball in your hand; they will see who is boss this way.
To teach your dog to sit, have him in a standing position and hold a treat in the air. Throw the treat right above him and then put your hand behind his back. He will end up looking up when following your hand. This behavior is a natural way to get them to sit.
Use the ‘shake-can’ trick when training your dog. Place a hand full of coins in any empty can, and then seal it up with tape. Shake the can if your dog misbehaves. The sound will startle your dog and he will stop whatever he is doing. After several shakes, your dog will realize that he or she is actually doing something wrong. Just give the can one shake, as repeating it too often will desensitize the dog to the sound.
Your dog should not get a cold voice from you because of a personal conflict with another human or the fact you got stuck in traffic. Keep in mind that if your dog did nothing wrong prior, then you should be positive when interacting with them.
Dogs that have received no training are likely to destroy your possessions and try your patience. If you follow the guidelines in this article, you will be more effective while training your dog.
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