Training your dog the right way can help to make your home as peaceful as possible for both you and your dog. The advice in this article is an exceptional place to start your training strategies. Some of these could tremendously impact you and your dog’s relationship in a positive manner.
Your dog must respect you in order for training to work. Your dog will neither obey nor respect you if he believes he is the leader of your household. Always walk in front, in the leadership position, letting your dog follow behind.
Do not use shock collars and similar training devices. They may not work very well and are far too expensive. They can cause your dog to be confused about all their behaviors. In short, using techniques like this could have negative effects.
“Leave It!” should be one of the first commands that a puppy learns. This command instructs them to release an object and walk away. This is a good way to keep your dog from chewing things and make sure they do not chew dangerous objects.
Primary Reinforcement
Use primary reinforcement when training your dog. Primary reinforcement uses the things that your dog loves as rewards for positive behavior. Some common reinforcements include your dog’s favorite treat or a belly rub. This way, the dog can learn how he can get things he wants.
“No” shouldn’t be a huge part of training. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. When you say ‘no’, your dog isn’t understanding how it should respond to you. No two animals and trainers are alike, so choose an approach that meets both your needs.
If you want to make sure your dog will behave throughout life, it’s important that you always train them. You do not have to stop training them as a puppy. Reinforce the positive behaviors, reward your dog for being obedient and punish your dog for its bad behavior.
Let your dog get used to triggers that make them bark to reduce the behavior. This can be things like sounds, smells, or proximity to other creatures. Your goal is to show your pet that barking is not an appropriate response to these common stimuli.
Make sure you’re aware of any other dogs in the area when walking your dog. Some dogs are more aggressive by nature and it is wrong to assume that it is the result of the owner. Make sure your dog stays away from other dogs that are aggressive.
Train a puppy to accept a leash by playing with the puppy while it wears its collar. The pup must become accustomed to wearing the collar in order for you to use its leash. It is also necessary for hanging ID tags.
One bit of advice to remember when you are training your pet is to make an effort to socialize it early on and often. It is important for your dog to understand how they should behave around humans and other pets. This also helps to avoid hyper-activity in a new location.
Remember not to reward your dog for bad behavior when they do something negative. In doing so, you are essentially telling your dog that it is able to control you, not the other way around. An example would be a scenario in which you give your dog treats whenever it barks.
Training sessions should be brief. The average dog will pay attention for about fifteen minutes and will not learn anything once it has lost interest in the exercise. End each session by praising your dog.
Are you providing your dog with high quality, nutritional food? Dogs are like children in the sense that bad diets lead to them acting bratty and hyperactive. The right diet can make all the difference in your pet’s behavior. Consult your veterinarian about any special dietary needs that your dog might require.
Does your dog like to tug on his leash? This may be the most typical complaint owners lodge, and it can easily be negated. Go to your local pet store and purchase a cheap harness. A harness can significantly reduce pulling, which will cause your walks to be more fun.
Regardless of your dog’s age or personality, the tips in this article can help. Be patient when applying this useful advice. Hopefully this will lead to happiness for you and your pet.