Are you overwhelmed by dog training? If so, your dog may be in need of more training. A little bit of extra time invested will help ensure you get the pet you want. This article can help you get started.
To train a dog to stop barking you must first train him to bark on command. When the dog barks on command instead of when he chooses to bark, it is easier to teach him to stop barking during the training session. Once he learns the command for “stop barking” he will follow it outside of training.
Dogs learn through reinforcement. When your dog does something you approve of and you would like to train them to do that on command, reward them with your voice. Consider, for example, the dog that unpredictably brings his owner his slippers. The owner should excitedly say the word “slippers” or whatever word they chose as a command for that behavior.
When training your dog, it is important to add play into the training sessions. This will help keep your dog interested. Play with his toy and show him how much fun you are having. This will help a dog with low motivation to stay interested. When you want him to take a toy, don’t shove it at him, make him take it from you.
Before crating your dog always allow them the opportunity to eliminate. Young dogs, in particular, have to relieve themselves quite frequently. You can’t expect them to not urinate or even defecate in the crate if they haven’t been given the opportunity to do so before they are crated.
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.
You should only leave your dog’s food out for around fifteen minutes each day after you put it out. This helps get your dog used to a regular routine. Your dog will quickly learn to begin eating his or her food immediately, and as a result, your dog will eat fresher food and not beg for food at other times of the day.
Create an environment that is learning-friendly for training sessions. Remove distractions such as children, TV or anything else that may pull focus from you. Young children love to help but they can be your biggest hindrance in the process. When distractions are removed you will not have to constantly redirect your pet, and this allows for easier learning.
A good dog training tip is to start training your dog while it’s young. Younger dogs are more impressionable, and far more responsive to training than older dogs. Older dogs tend to be stubborn because they already have experience and behaviors that they’ve become used to for a while.
Dogs need to learn to socialize early in life. You need to show them what is acceptable when they are around people and their pets. Doing this will also decrease the likelihood that the dog will respond poorly when introduced to new environments.
A tip for small dog owners: make treats small to ensure your dog doesn’t become full during training sessions. Believe it or not, a dog will work just as hard for a treat the size of a pin-head as he will for a treat the size of your thumbnail. This way, training sessions can last longer and be more interesting.
Your dog will benefit from a solid exercise routine. Hyperactive dogs are often full of energy they have not spent elsewhere. Exercising your dog prior to training sessions will increase his attention span. Better yet, he’ll be calmer at home and less likely to react poorly to external stimulus.
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.
Make sure not to accidentally reward a dog for bad behavior. For example, if you let your dog into the yard when he barks, you’re rewarding him by letting him outside for doing something you’d rather he didn’t. Instead make sure only to let the dog outside when he quietly waits by the door, reinforcing good behavior.
When training your dog don’t go all out. If you are working with a puppy only work on one skill a week, until your dog has mastered it. Keep your training sessions short and your dog will retain more. You are both less likely to get frustrated this way.
It is important to understand your dog’s temperament, and what type of training fits for your dog. Not all dogs are alike, just like not all humans are alike either. One training trick that may work for one dog, may not work effectively when training a completely different dog.
If your dog has a problem with play biting or excitement nipping, try giving him the cold shoulder. Mouthing dogs are only reacting to their excitement, so cutting off attention will give him the signal that this is an inappropriate way to show that he is happy. With consistency across members of the household, excitement mouthing can be a thing of the past.
Teach your puppy to ring a bell with his paw or nose when he needs to go outside and go to the restroom. Show your dog how to ring the bell before you take it outside. Or have him ring the bell and give it a treat. If you do this every time, you dog will always be able to tell you when it needs to go outside.
You can relax and enjoy your pet more if you take the time to train him properly. You might feel like you have a dog that will not be obedient ever. However, positive results can be achieved with the right training and a lot of perseverance. Using the advice offered above, you will see results in no time.