Wednesday, March 2, 2011

How Should You Start Training Your Dog?

By Chris Scarborough


It may go against some conventions but training dogs while they are still puppies is actually advisable. If you are patient enough when training puppies, they will reward you by being fast learners and becoming well-adjusted as adults.

Before you even think of training your dogs, the first, and very first thing you need to do would be to have them establish some sort of routine, such as a specific time for them to eat, be walked, or do their business. If you let your dogs out in the yard then you should try to do so at a time when they need to go out.

There are animal rights activists who are firmly against training puppies or other young animals. But don't let them get in the way - you are the dog's owner, and you should be responsible for how the dog learns and how he behaves into adulthood. And unlike children, puppies would have an even greater tendency to act out if you don't give them the right amount of attention. Start young and start relatively lightly, there is certainly no need to start agility training immediately but you should learn a few basic commands. Safety is another concern and another reason to train your dog while young. This would decrease the chances of your pet wandering off or worse, running away from home. Obedient dogs also have the advantage of being more responsive when you call them over, thus keeping them farther away from dangerous situations.

Positive reinforcement is a very useful tool that you can use to your advantage in dog training. Initially you may want to include an edible treat as well, but in time you can and should revert to solely using verbal praise. You can ensure an enjoyable dog training environment if you know when and how to praise your canine pet, and how to use positive reinforcement. The training process would then be a breeze.

Puppy training classes are excellent for giving you the groundwork to continue at home, and they also provide you with the perfect opportunity to socialize your dog in an understanding environment. Your puppy will learn how to react in different situations and learn how to mix with different people and dogs alike. However, this must not be misconstrued as a substitute for home training that may free you up to do other things instead of training your dog. You must continue with the training when you get home. Try to set aside some time every single day to carry on the training.




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