Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Useful Hints For Coaching A Well-Behaved Canine

By Bill James


Having the perfect and obedient pooch doesn't happen overnight. You must engage in teaching your dog everything he/she must know, just like a real child. Don't crack under the pressure; instead read some of the dog-training tips below for some insightful ideas. You may not end up using all of the ideas, but they can help point you in the right direction.

Never punish a dog for a house-training accident unless you actually witness it happening. Nobody likes coming home to a smelly surprise, but one of the biggest mistakes you can make when house training a dog is punishing or scolding a dog for an earlier mistake. Dogs do not have a good concept of cause and effect, so scolding a dog for a mess will only serve to make them fear the actual mess or you, and not the act of making the mess. They do not understand why they are being punished and in some cases it can cause the dog to start eating their waste, because they know its presence makes you angry. If you catch them in the act, simply firmly tell them "no" and immediately take them outside.

Anxious dogs might benefit from having music played when you leave. Classical music is proven to be soothing for a variety of species, and dogs are no exception. Calm, soothing classical music played at a mellow volume might be a benefit to your dog and keep the house from being silent while you're gone.

Never yell at a barking dog. While a barking dog is sure to raise your frustration level, resist the urge to yell at them. Dogs do not understand that you are yelling at them, and often associate your raised voice as you joining in the fun of barking. If your dog is barking, calmly distract them with a toy or treat, and when the barking stops, give them their prize.

Listen to professional advice. If you adopt a dog from a shelter or a rescue organization, listen to their advice. More often than not, they will have spent a lot of time with the dog, and will know the best method to train him. Some shelter dogs are very skittish, and require extra care when trying to train them, especially if they have been previously mistreated.

Train you small furry friend to get along with other dogs! Small dogs need socializing too! Many small dog owners forget that their dogs need exercise and social time just like large dogs. Small breed puppies should be socialized early, so they become comfortable with many sizes and temperaments of dogs. Furthermore, they should become comfortable with walking outdoors at an early age.

Some dogs have enormous reserves of energy that can cause the dog to act crazy through out the day. For dogs like this a fenced in yard or electric collar fence can be a useful tool to allow the dog to run around in a contained area. The dog will have more exercise and be more relaxed when it comes inside.

When your dog is trained properly, your experience of dog ownership is so much more enjoyable. This article hopefully took you from dog novice, to dog expert. Consistently apply these hints, and you will see a difference in your dog's behavior.




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