Dogs are members of the family, and there is nothing wrong with trying to train them in a friendly, gentle way. The following article will shed some light on some simple canine training tricks and tips that you can use to your benefit. Before you train your dog, you need to do a little homework of your own.
It is not difficult to teach a dog how to roll over, and having some treats on hand makes it easier. Start by getting the dog to lay down. Then, use the treat to draw his head from one side to the other. Your dog is probably going to follow the treat in your hand with his nose, which means he will rollover his whole body. Whenever your dog does actually roll over, say “roll over” out loud. Repeating this over time forms a mental association in your dog’s mind that eventually causes him to roll over on command. It will take some work, but keep on trying!
As the dog improves, greater freedom can be granted. The right balance of training, obedience and freedom ensures your dog has an enjoyable life. Don’t give too much at any one time, of course, or it could take your training back a step.
Start your dog’s training by doing something it could easily learn. This will cause you to get your dog to learn its first trick quickly, which is rewarding. It will also show your dog what training is all about. You will see more results as you are training this way.
Don’t extend training sessions. The attention span of a dog is pretty short, so it is important to keep them interested in training by keeping the training short. If more training is desired, work in some break times so your dog can play before continuing with training.
Prior to training your puppy, make a bond with your dog by teaching him what his name is. In the first days, frequently use your dog’s name, and reward him for responding when you call. Your dog should learn these items before any others as they’re the most important. Spending lots of time will create a strong bond with your puppy, and will lead to unbreakable trust. Once your puppy trusts you, it will be easier to train him.
Continue training your dog using the same techniques over time. If there is more than one person training your dog, you need to make sure all the members of your household are using the same rewards and commands. It will be easier for a pet to learn a single set of commands.
Use the dog’s name as much as possible to ensure that it pays attention. Early in your dog ownership, you should use your dog’s name several times a day, so he starts to understand that you want his attention. Pick a name that is distinguished and no longer than two syllables.
When using a leash on your dog, ensure the leash remains loose. When you take your dog out for a walk, he will want to explore. Eager dogs will begin to put some strain on their leashes. Smart owners are quick to discourage this by rewarding the animal for leaving slack on the leash.
You should be sure to respond positively when your dog does something good. Be positive, excited and provide treats. Do not reward undesirable behavior, because the dog will get mixed messages.
Your dog needs to learn what ‘down’ means. This command is useful to build upon, or on its own in emergency situations. If you teach your dog how to get ‘down’, this might help in an emergency.
Teach your dog the difference between right and wrong. Your dog needs consistency from all members in a household. One family member breaking the rules for the dog can lead to your dog feeling confused when he is reprimanded. This will quickly undo all of your hard work and training.
Now that you have read these tips, you can feel a little more confident about training your dog. Choosing to follow some of the advice and tips in this article, will not only make you a better trainer, but a better listener, who can understand the needs of your dog. To be a good trainer, you need to listen to and understand your dog. The advice above will help.