Dog training may be intimidating for first time pet owners. There are many different ideas and theories out there, and the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming. These are just some tips to help you start out with dog training the right way.
Proper and generous rewards are critical to canine training. Giving them treats at the proper time and with the proper amount is crucial. Dogs can get confused if they are rewarded at inappropriate times.
You should not tie up multiple dogs where they can reach each other, no matter how friendly they are. If there chains become entangled with one another it could lead to an injury. If one dog is larger than the other, it could accidentally tangle the cord around the smaller dog’s neck, causing it to become unable to breath, and possibly die.
Try to keep accidents at a minimum when toilet training your dog. Try to recognize your dog’s body language and anticipate his need to go out. Some clues to watch for are snuffling, whining and pacing. If you see your dog exhibiting these behaviors, jump right up and grab the leash. Grab his leash and bring him to the spot where he uses the bathroom. Whenever he relieves himself in an appropriate time and place, he should be praised immediately. They will eventually ask to go outside.
Keep tabs on the number of treats you give to your dog as a reward in order to avoid making him gain weight. When trying to feed their dogs a healthy diet, many people do not count the calories in the treats. These can add up fast.
Giving praise to your dog for a job well done is important. Acting super excited can help your dog to understand that you are happy with their behavior. Be careful that you do not inadvertently reward unwanted behavior or your dog will think you want him to repeat it.
Socializing your dog early in life is every bit as important as obedience training. Your dog must learn how to behave in the company of other dogs as well as humans. Being familiar with all the types of beings it might encounter will help your dog exhibit consistent, confident behavior.
As you begin a new training program for your dog, it is important to commit yourself to the process – don’t give up! Without reinforcement, your dog will revert to his old behaviors. Your dog requires food, shelter, companionship, and instruction from you every day, throughout your relationship.
Whenever your dog follows a command correctly, give them a treat as a reward. Slowly reduce the number of treats as time progresses and watch as they continue to follow instructions.
If you’re house training a dog, try using a crate. In order to make the crate training more effective, you need to let the dog out regularly, and try to follow a consistent schedule. Once your dog has acclimated to the crate, he will be far less accident-prone indoors.
It’s important that you are aware of any signals that your dog has to use the restroom. Dogs typically have a pattern before elimination. Discovering the pattern can allow you to get the dog outside in a timely fashion, thus reinforcing desired behaviors. Being in sync with the natural tendencies of your dog will make house training much easier for both of you.
Make sure your dog’s check ups are current. Training problems can sometimes be related to health problems. Dogs can keep their illnesses well hidden. It’s the small behavioral changes which may alert you to the problem. Aggression can be an indicator of pain, and a lapse in house training can be a telltale sign of urinary issues.
Boredom Barking
Pay attention to boredom barking. If you dog barks because he is bored, you are the one to blame. Boredom barking indicates that the dog is not getting an outlet to release pent up energy. Dogs love going for walks and it helps to expel some of their pent up energy. If you can’t be home, give him something to do while you’re gone, like leaving him toys.
Always reprimand bad behaviors. You must learn to tell your pet “No” in a very firm voice. Do not yell and hit your dog despite any mistakes it does. Discourage bad behavior when it occurs or soon after. A dog has a short memory. If you do things much later, they won’t know why they ate being punished.
If you have a knock-down, drag-out fight with your kids or reprimand another pet, your voice could impact your dog’s training. If your dog has not misbehaved, you should treat him warmly.
Hopefully, you have gained some knowledge from these tips. If you keep these tips in the back of your mind when it’s time to train your dog, it will kick-start your training into an ultra-efficient routine.