Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Outsmart Your Stubborn Dog With These Smart Training Tips!

By Steve Ian


Many dog owners erroneously assume that their dogs will benefit from a flexible environment free of rules. Nothing could be further from the truth. All dogs should have fun, but with the guidance and encouragement of their owners. A regular training routine can help build a proper relationship between you and your dog. Your dog's anxiety can be replaced with confidence with just a little work! This article has tips to build a solid training routine for your pet.

Always use the same words when giving commands to your dog. Using different phrasing for basic commands can confuse your dog. Saying "Come" today and saying "Come here" the next, in the dog's mind, is like teaching two different commands, however, the behavior is expected to be the same. Keep it simple and keep it consistent.

Look for triggers that may cause bad behavior from your dog. If your dog is suddenly exhibiting unwanted behaviors, maybe something has changed that day: Has he been able to go on a walk or has he been cooped up? Were you gone all day when normally someone is at home? Dogs are creatures of consistency and when things change their behavior can change as well.

House training a new puppy is a lengthy process that should be handled with consistency. Make sure you take the puppy out on a set schedule, and remember that puppies have tiny bladders, and need out more frequently than adult dogs. Consistency in the early days of training will avoid lots of accidents in the long run.

Do not push your dog to eat things he does not love thinking it will train him to enjoy the food over time. The treat or dog food bag may say that all dogs love the food the bag contains, but the truth is that dogs are very selective about their food. Experimenting to find food and treats that your dog loves goes a long way toward your dog's overall happiness.

Always be nice and kind to your dog while training him. If you dog is not getting something right away, be kind and patient. If he looks like he is ignoring you, show him kindness. A dog does not deserve to be punished for not learning as quickly as you think he should be.

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.

Learn to understand what your dog is saying through facial expression. Many people fail to see that a dog says even though his he communicates non-verbally with his face, just as we do. When you are training your dog, take some time to see how he responds to commands, rewards and your behavior. Watching his facial expressions will be useful as training progresses and give you a better understanding of your dog.

Timing is going to play a key role in the training of your dog. Set a schedule and keep to it. He should know when you are going to feed him, take him for walks and have play time. This is going to make it much easier for you to do all of the training that you have planned for him.

A dog is man's best friend, but many times it can feel as if it's the greatest rival. Properly training a dog is a necessity for getting the dog you want. The tips here will hopefully make sure that your dog is indeed a good friend and not a rival. It may take a lot of work, but heeding the advice will get rid of the bad aspects of the dog, keeping only the good ones.




About the Author:



No comments: