If you want a trusting, obedient dog, it is important to begin training immediately. There are good and bad points to dog training, but you’ll have more success if you acquaint yourself with a variety of techniques. Learn the following tactics to make training your dog easier.
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.
Feed Your Dog Healthy Food And Treats
The effects a bad diet has on your dog extend further than you might think. If your dog isn’t getting what it needs to stay healthy, it could really struggle to find the energy for training or may act out in other ways. By making small changes to your dog’s diet, you can alter their receptiveness to the training.
Always keep fresh water available to your dog when he is being trained using a crate. One way to do this without making a mess is to furnish the crate with a rabbit water bottle. Just attach it to the outside of the crate with the tip sticking inside. Your dog will quickly learn to drink from it.
Focus On What Your Dog Is Doing Right
When you are training your dog, focus on what your dog does right during the training sessions, not what they do wrong. This will make training more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Enjoyable training sessions will ensure that your dog remembers what you taught and is ready to come back for more at the next session.
Dogs usually respond well to physical rewards when being trained. Almost all dogs have an extremely large capacity for love. That makes them respond very well to rewards like belly scratching, back petting and brushing. Your dog wants to be loved and greatly appreciates you giving him affection. Show your happiness with his success this way.
Have Fun When Training Your Dog
When training your dog, always remember to have fun. By playing games with your dog, a strong bond will develop between the two of you, which helps the dog respond in a positive manner during training. Having fun with your dog during training is one thing, but playing and having fun with your dog outside of training is also necessary.
When you’re training your dog, it is important that you understand primary reinforcement. Primary reinforcement employs a reward for his good behavior. Some examples of primary reinforcements are food and rubbing the dog’s belly. This lets your dog know how to earn something it wants.
Be A Proactive Pet Owner
Being a proactive pet owner is the first step in training your pooch. An owner who anticipates troublesome situations for their dog, and works to keep him away from those situations whenever possible, will have a better behaved animal. Extensive training will not be as necessary if you get to know your dog so you can anticipate his actions.
One tip to keep in mind when training your dog is that you are also essentially testing yourself. This is important to keep in mind because if you lose your patience or get frustrated, then either you need to rethink your strategy or find someone else to take over the training.
Make Your Dog Work For Treats
Your dog should learn that nothing in life is free. Have him work to get goodies, no matter how small. Have your pooch “sit” and wait before meals are placed on the floor, and release with a command. Have your dog “sit” and wait by the door before walks. He’ll learn patience, and he’ll learn to wait for your cue.
If you happen to be concerned with the dog’s agility, take some time to research various breeds and find the one you prefer. Some of the better dogs for agility training include Shetland sheepdogs, Labrador retrievers, border collies, and Australian shepherds; however, most breeds are able to participate in agility training successfully.
You want your dogs to listen. The above article has offered many tips to help with dog training. Training takes time and consistency so do not get discouraged if your dog does not pick things up as quickly as you want them to. An obedient dog doesn’t happen overnight; it requires repetition, time, and patience. If you want continued success, keep learning everything you can on training.
