Dogs have walked faithfully beside man throughout recorded history. In the modern era, when the Internet brings vast swathes of information within everyone's reach, dog owners have more resources than ever to train their pets to behave according to their wishes. Here are just a few handy ideas for getting the most out of the dog-training process:
TIP! The fastest way to train your dog to sit is to utilize positive reinforcement. If you command your dog to sit and he or she sits for a decent amount of time, then you can give the dog a treat.
Training your dog doesn't have to be a chore. Make training into a game that will enrich your dog's life. Try having your dog sit each time he brings you the ball you threw. By incorporating training into playtime, you'll have a fun and rewarding experience which results in a well-mannered pet!
A great way to train your dog to stop chewing items when you're away from home is to catch them in the act. When you see your dog picking up an item, ready to take a bite, slowly take the item away from them and firmly, but in a gentle way tell them "no".
TIP! When you are training your dog, you should make sure that your dog is not sick when it is not following your commands that it normally will follow. They also need regular visits to the vet so that he or she can inform you of your dog's health.
One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is to be sure that you introduce it to social environments early and frequently. Your dog needs to know how to act around other dogs and humans - this is not something you can teach it otherwise. This will help to reduce sporadic behavior in new environments as well.
When you are training your dog, never use a command he knows as a punishment. For example, if your dog needs a time out, do not put him in his crate. It may create a negative association for him. Another example is when you call your dog to you to be punished. This hurts his chances of completing successful recalls in the future.
TIP! When training an aggressive dog you should begin training them slowly to show them you are the alpha. If you start out too quickly with alpha behavior on your part, an aggressive dog may think your behavior is a threat, and return an aggressive response.
When training your dog, make sure that you understand his personality. If you don't, then it will be impossible for you to train him effectively. So carefully study your dog before you attempt to train it.
When giving commands to your dog, never come down to their level. Maintaining eye contact and a fully erect, dominant stance imparts control to the dog. Your dog will be receptive to commands given from this posture much easier than a crouching owner who is seen as an equal or playmate.
TIP! Start training your dog early. Many people believe that very young puppies are too young to learn.
When training your dog, you should always make sure you use the same word or action for each individual behavior. Dogs respond much better to this because dogs will associate a specific word or action with that particular type of behavior. Consistency is key. By doing this, you will have a higher rate of success with training your pet.
One of the most important part of dog training is communication. Make sure you are clear and consistent when you are working with your dog. This includes verbal and body language as well as rewards and corrections. Remember to be aware of what your dog is communicating to you as well. He will let you know if he is having a good day or if he is feeling anxious and overworked.
The dog-owner relationship is as old as history itself, and it is not going away any time soon. With all of the information available to them at a touch of a button, today dog owners can find the perfect training strategy to make their dog-training experience a successful and happy one.
