Taking on the task of training your dog might feel intimidating if you have never tried it before. You can easily be lead to information overload because of all of the resources available to new trainers. This article is designed to help you begin training your dog.
Crates should feel like a safe place to puppies. So, you should never use them as a way to discipline your dog. Dogs may need to be familiarized with the crate to feel comfortable and secure in it. There are many tricks that you can try to make it easier for both of you. If your dog does not want to go into the crate but one of his favorite toys inside and close the door. A tempting bone will prove too hard to resist, and the dog will be panting to get into the crate in no time. When they go inside to get the bone, give them lots of positive reinforcement.
Put yourself in your dog’s proverbial shoes, or paws, rather. You can easily become frustrated with your pet if they do not learn the basics quickly or not at all. Don’t do yourself and your pet an injustice by simply giving up. Thinking like a dog can make it easier for you to do what is needed to train him. Understanding their perspective can help you have sympathy for their position.
Verbal cues are very important to make sure that your dog is under your command. It’s faster to tell your dog “yes” than it is to find and give it a treat.
Take the time to teach your dog how to behave when on a leash. Think of the leash as a safety requirement.
Be sure to always grab your dog’s attention the same way. Your commands should always begin with your dog’s name. Use his name to get his attention then follow up with a command. Dogs will hear there name and pay attention.
If your dog likes to bark you need to be aware of why they are doing so. A variety of things can cause this, whether other animals, unknown people or specific sounds. As you begin getting your dog accustomed to these situations, he will be less likely to bark.
Keep track of the number of treats you give your dog. Your dog needs to watch his weight, too. A lot of pet owners don’t think about how much weight their dogs can put on with treats.
Keep a spray bottle handy to deter your dog when it tries to bite people or things. Getting sprayed is a little unpleasant, and will give your dog the idea the the behavior is unacceptable. Eventually, they won’t do these behaviors anymore and your dog will be obedient and playful.
Activities and the environment can play a role in excessive barking. If you know why you can stop it. For example, if strange people or animals cause your dog to bark, then you might need to spend more time socializing.
Maintain consistency during your training regimen with your dog. Being consistent pertains to words used for commands you want the dog obeying, to the words’s tone, and to rewards you provide the dog if he completes the command you teach him successfully.
Fetch is a great way to teach a dog you’re the boss. If your dog drops the ball nearby and you walk to pick the ball up, your dog assumes he is the leader. Making sure that your dog brings the ball back to you every time will help your dog understand his/her expectations.
Set your dog up for success when training him to stop chewing inappropriate items. In addition, keep the household objects that could be dangerous away from your pet. Items like hairbrushes can cause a dog to choke or could block their airway.
Do not allow your dog to use a wee-wee pad to go potty. Urine and feces contain enzymes that linger in the area. Dogs are still able to smell these enzymes, especially if the pads leak. Dogs also believe that anything shaped like a pad is acceptable to use as a potty. It is always better to take your dog outdoors to use the bathroom.
If your dog has had a particular bad habit for a very long time, understand that it will take time to undo it. If a dog’s previous owner or you have allowed a dog to sleep on furniture or jump on people for many years, it will take time to change that long term behavior. Training as a puppy is easier, of course.
When training a dog to do something complicated, be sure to take it step-by-step. This includes tricks like training your dog to retrieve your newspaper. You first need to teach him exactly what a newspaper is and then how to hold it. You then want to teach it names for different objects to make sure it knows differences in names. Picking up the object is the next part of the puzzle that needs to be practiced. Finally, the dog should return it to you. Do not be weak when it comes to training your dog. They will see this and take advantage of it.
These training tips are applicable to many situations. Following the advice contained in this article will lead to your being a happy canine owner with a properly trained companion.
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