Dog owners who are responsible know that good dogs are not made, they’re trained. Training a dog is a long process that will require you to learn a lot about canine behavior. Keep reading for tips on training your dog or locating a qualified trainer.
Be consistent when you are training your pup! Write down the specific commands you want to use with your dog, and get everyone in your household to review the list and use the same words. Make sure everyone knows what to do in terms of rewarding the dog when it does well and not reinforcing poor behavior. When the dog gets inconsistent rewards, training becomes more difficult as the dog gets confused.
Avoid restraining two dogs too closely together. It is just too easy for dogs in such a situation to tangle their leads together, and this can lead to serious injuries for both of them. If one dog happens to be much larger than the other, the small dog could get tangled to the point that it could choke to death.
Using wee-wee pads is actually counter productive when you are potty training your new puppy. These pads leak causing enzymes from urine and feces to be absorbed into your flooring. They also make your dog think it’s okay to use anything with a similar shape as a bathroom. Instead, make your dog always go outside.
Always address your dog by name to ensure they get used to what name you’ve given it. You will have more control over an obedient, well-trained animal. Call your dog’s name as much as ten times a day, until you get a reaction right away. If you need to punish your dog, go to your dog. Don’t call him or her to you and then punish.
If you pour too much information and training into your puppy, it will actually be counterproductive. A puppy’s attention span is short and their energy is limited, so your sessions should be short and positive. If you try to rush and throw in too much information, your puppy will not remember the lesson and you’ll have a harder time training him.
When you are trying to break your dog from chewing, do it the right way. Keep dangerous items out of your dog’s reach. Some household items can be harmful to your dog if they are chewed upon.
The daily training sessions with your dog should be fun. A sense of play brings you and your dog together. This bond makes the dog more responsive to your commands and training him easier. Training is fun for the dog, but you should set aside some real “play time” as well.
These tips will surely help you to enjoy the pleasures of a happy, well-trained dog. A well-trained dog is happier and a joy to be around. Training can be done yourself, or you may want to enlist the help of a professional; either way, proper training will bring you many rewarding years with your pet.