Saturday, September 29, 2012

Training Your Dog - Tips To Make Your Job Easier

By David Hamilton


A dog is a man's (or woman's) best friend! Dogs are wonderful pets to come home to at the end of a long day or take for a run around your favorite park. If you want to make your relationship with your dog better, having your dog trained is very important. Below you'll find tips and hints to help you with the dog training process so you and your dog can have a mess free, relaxing and fun time together.

If you are going to deem it perfectly acceptable for your pet to use the bathroom indoors make a designated area for them for elimination. Place potty pads there and or around there, and slowly migrate them such that there is only one pad in the spot you want them to eliminate.

If your dog is misbehaving, try to determine why. It is important to work out why your dog is doing what it does. Knowing the reason for poor behavior can make training significantly easier. It is far more difficult to correct an action that you do not fully understand the reasoning behind.

Make sure your dog's training is consistent. If multiple family members are involved in a pet's training, make sure everyone is using the same commands and a similar system of discipline and rewards. The dog will have an easier time learning if he has only one set of commands to learn and if he knows what response each behavior will receive.

Never use human shampoo on a dog. While it may be tempting to have your dog smelling like your favorite shampoo, most hair products for humans are far too harsh for a dog's sensitive skin. If you are in a pinch and must use a human shampoo, try to use one formulated to be gentle enough for a baby.

Not all dogs are comfortable around other dogs or people. The best way to train your dog to be more comfortable around other animals or people is to expose them to as many people and other dogs as often as possible, preferably earlier in their life. This will make them accustomed to being around others.

Positive reinforcement should be used liberally when training your dog. Food rewards may be used, but they are not the only option. A simple "good dog" or a pat on the head can be just as effective. By making training a pleasant experience, you will find that your dog works harder to please you.

As already stated, dog training can be important for getting your dog off to the right start in the family. It will be harder if you wait till later to try training. This article can help you to make the decisions about dog training that can help your dog keep his place as a cherished family member.




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