Saturday, April 28, 2012

The Most Useful Canine Training Techniques You Can Use

By Jason Decker


All dogs should be taught the basics of obedience training not only to keep them safe but to protect people and other animals to which they are exposed. Start teaching your dog how to sit, stay, heel, come, and understand the word "no" as soon as he is old enough to be trained. Even the calmest dog may unexpectedly start to chase a car, a bike, a cat or a squirrel. Giving the command "no" or "come" should stop the dog in his tracks and prevent him from getting hit by a car or endangering the person or animal he is chasing. Some dogs tend to jump on people as a means of welcoming them, but this could be dangerous to small children or elderly people who aren't steady on their feet. Telling your dog to "sit" and "stay" eliminates this concern. A well-trained dog not only makes a pleasant companion but also reduces the risk of accidental injury to himself or others.

Put yourself in your dog's proverbial shoes - or paws, rather. It is easy to get frustrated with your dog if they are not learning very basic things quickly or at all. Instead of giving up entirely, you might consider trying to put yourself in your dog's mindset. Imagining the world as they see it might give you a new perspective on training them.

Training sessions for your dog should be fun and stress-free. Your dog will learn better, and you will be able to teach better in a positive environment. Use your training session as a bonding time with your dog and have fun. This will help you and your dog have a life-long relationship.

Your home is your domain. Your dog must see the environment they live in as your territory. Stepping around a lying dog or not moving the animal from a place you intend to use gives him the right of way. This should not be allowed. Dominance in the pack means exercising your power in a non-confrontational way but with firm resolve that this is your territory.

When teaching a puppy basic commands, start with 'sit'. This is the easiest one for a dog to master. Hold his favorite snack just above his nose, and firmly say 'sit'. Most dogs will instinctively sit down at this point. Offer him the treat and don't forget to praise him profusely. If he doesn't sit, gently push his rear end towards the floor. After he has been sitting for a few seconds, give him the treat, and like before, remember to praise him.

Give your puppy something to chew on. Having specific items for this purpose will help to train them not to chew on everything. This will reinforce good behavior.

The key to potty training a new puppy is consistency. Remember that when he is with his mother, he can relieve himself whenever he needs to, so it will take some time for him to learn that he must wait for someone to take him outside to go to the bathroom.

You should pick a phrase to say to your puppy while he is being house trained. Every time you take him outside, tell him "go potty" (use whatever phrase you have chosen) and this will help him learn to focus and remember what he has gone outside to do.

A dog's name should only be used when positively interacting with the animal. Call the dog's name to get him to come to your side or call his name when you are serving his dinner. Don't, however, call your dog's name when you are unhappy with his or her actions. The dog would negatively associate that with punishment.

When training your dog, do it in short sessions, no more than fifteen to twenty minutes each session. This keeps your dog from becoming bored and uninterested in the training. More importantly, it ensures that your focus is entirely on training, which is vital to ensuring your dog's success.




About the Author:



No comments: