Saturday, April 28, 2012

What You Ought To Know About Training Your Dog

By Marianne Stokes


Reward your dog for obeying you, but only occasionally. Rewards like treats and excessive praise can be useful tools when training your dog. Just be careful that you do not condition them to expect this every time they do as they are are told. Reward them for following instruction, but do so randomly.

While training your dog, it is important to maintain a calm voice, even if you feel frustrated. If you get angry, your pet is not going to enjoy learning and will not respond well to your commands. Your dog should enjoy the training process rather than dread it.

There are many different ways to train a dog. Just like all humans learn differently, all dogs learn differently. You should research some different training styles and see which ones work best for your specific dog. When in doubt, contact a professional and get their opinion or seek professional training services.

The key to successful dog training is to start them as soon as possible. No matter how old your dog may be it is never too late to get them started. While it may take a little longer, you can still achieve a great deal of success. You can start training most puppies after they are about 6 weeks old. This is the perfect time to get the ground rules setup for a calmer more obedient dog.

If you don't have the time, money or inclination to take your naughty dog to a professional trainer, you can obedience train your pooch at home to turn him into a well-behaved family member by following a few simple tips. Within a matter of weeks, your dog should be able to "sit,"? "stay,"? and "come"? on demand. Some dogs learn at faster rates than others, but prepare yourself to be patient. Use positive reinforcement in the form of praise and treats to reward your dog each time he listens. If he makes a mistake, correct him in a firm voice without yelling. Limit your training to a few short sessions per day, approximately 10 minutes each. Make sure you are in a quiet room or yard with no distractions. Be consistent with your hand signals and verbal instructions. Once your dog has mastered these simple commands, it's time to train him how to fetch your slippers and bring you breakfast in bed!

The diet you are feeding your dog needs to match their needs and activity level. The diet that is right for a working dog is a lot different from that of a dog that lounges around the house all day. Talk with your vet regarding what is right for your pup and don't forget their needs will change as they age.

Don't expect too much of your dog, too soon. Puppies will be puppies. That is what makes them so cute. The key to training them to act appropriately, is consistency. Be consistent in immediately reinforcing good behavior and eventually, your dog will get the message. Just don't expect them to become fully trained overnight.

Using a crate when you're not at home can be very effective, especially for a young puppy. The crate keeps your puppy safe and secure, and also protects your home from chewing and bathroom accidents. Your puppy can learn to feel comfortable and protected in his crate home while you are away.

Crate training is a good skill for a dog of any age to have. Teaching your dog to stay in their crate quietly takes time and patience but can be a valuable tool while potty training or a safe place for him to stay while you are away from the house.

When crate training a young puppy you must be consistent. When you let the puppy out of his crate you must immediately and unfailingly allow him the opportunity to relieve himself. Over time the puppy will be able to wait until the appropriate opportunity to answer the call of nature.




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