Training your dog is important if you want him to know his place in the family. You may love to spoil and pamper him but he still needs to understand that you are the pack leader and he is not. This article can help you to understand the benefits of training your dog.
Just because your dog is obeying you, do not assume that they are done learning. Your dog is always learning. Never stop reinforcing good behavior. This is especially important if you move. A new surrounding can be very distracting for a dog. You might have to reteach them a great deal.
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.
Keep your dog on a healthy diet. A bad diet is unhealthy for dogs for many reasons. Poor nutrition adversely affects your dog’s health and can cause uncharacteristic behavior. Training may very well go easier when dogs are given the proper nutrients in a healthful diet.
Throughout your dog’s training program, continue to play with them as much as possible. Interacting through games and activities is one way to bond with your pet and relieve stress. Dogs respond much better to people they trust, so go out and throw a ball, play tug of war or just rub their belly.
One of the first things most people teach their dogs is the sit command. This is very basic but is handy for your dog to know, especially when you want to get his attention. One way to teach your dog to sit is to take a piece of dog treat and hold it about six inches from his nose. Slowly raise the treat straight up and say “Fido, sit”. You may have to use your hand to help him into the position until he realizes what you want.
When giving a dog a flea bath, start at the neck and work towards the tail. To prevent fleas from getting into your dog’s eyes, ears, or nose, begin the bath by creating a barrier of wet, soapy fur around the dog’s neck. As you work your way down, fleas will have no choice but to head for the tail, and inevitably, their death by drowning.
Use the dog’s name as much as possible to ensure that it pays attention. Use it as often as possible when you have your puppy during the first weeks, the puppy will make the connection. It’s best to stick with shorter names, one’s that are distinguishable from other words.
When looking to hire a dog trainer, finding someone who uses positive training techniques can be very beneficial. Your dog will respond better to praises, treats, and encouragement than to physical or mental agitation. Negative training methods can be very ineffective and cause harm to the animal as well.
To train a dog careful thought is required by the owner. Before beginning to train a dog one should plan out what their command words are going to be to be the most effective. Words that are not commonly used will help them stick out for the dog. If one knows another language that can also offer more words and sounds to use in training the dog.
A great dog training tip is to make sure your dog gets a little bit of exercise every day. Exercise is not only good for your dog’s health, it also keeps them social with other people and other dogs. Taking your dog for a daily walk is key for socialization.
Every interaction, moment and situation is a learning experience for your dog. While you can’t control the environment around you, you can control how you react with your dog. Keep a composed demeanor when you’re working with your dog, and try not to intimidate him, even when you’re frustrated or upset.
It is important that you get to know your dog well. Dog training is not a “one-size-fits-all” proposition. A lot depends on your personality and capabilities, your dog’s personality and capabilities, and how these traits mesh. Something that may work well for one trainer with one dog may not work with another trainer and another dog. Or it may not work for the same trainer with different dogs. Everyone is different!
Make sure everyone around the dog knows your rules. It can be confusing for a dog if the adults say not to give the dog food but the kids are sneaking food to him under the table. Make sure that everyone who spends time with the dog knows that you are trying to train him so that he gets consistent messages.
While training your dog, do not forget to have fun. It is important that your dog knows you can still have fun with him by playing with his toys. Keep up games you used to play before getting serious about training. Play time is a great stress reliever for both dog and owner!
Your anxious dog should have something to do when you’re not home. Many people have success with food-based distractions. By appealing to a dog’s natural love of food and chewing, food shoved in a rubber toy can make a world of difference for anxious dogs that are home alone. Make sure this food cannot be choked on – there are many dog-safe recipes to be found online for various types of chewing toys.
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.