Saturday, September 29, 2012

Dog Training 101 - What You Need To Know

Good dog owners know that a good dog is one that is trained. Teaching your dog basic obedience skills, how to follow instructions and proper socialization will assure your pet is both happy and safe. This article will give you some helpful advice in order to train your dog. Never chain two dogs too close to each other.

The leashes or chains can become intertwined, causing harm to one or more of the dogs. It can even be fatal if you tie a large dog up with a small dog, and the large dog ends up getting a chain wrapped around the small dog's neck. Your dog should enjoy being trained by you. Try not to make training sessions any longer than 15 minutes. That will keep his attention. Give him varied rewards, and don't be stingy.

Praise your dog often when he does well and show a lot of love. If your dog enjoys the training exercises, the dog is more likely to be responsive. Never give up on your dog, no matter how exhausted you are. If you want your dog to behave as trained, it is vital to keep practicing what has already been learned. Training for your dog never ends, think about it in the same manner as sheltering and feeding your dog. Dogs will be dogs, so give your dog outlets to work out his canine behaviors.

Dogs require a nutritious diet, space to run in and activities and toys to keep them busy. Communication is the key to training your dog. Clear commands and consistency are necessary when you work with your dog. This includes both your spoken words and body language. Your choice of rewards and punishments should also remain consistent. Also, understand the feedback your dog is giving back to you, too. Your dog can let you know how he's feeling, like if he's having a bad day or is worn out. Pay attention to how much time you spend training in one session.

Dogs can quickly lose focus when you prolong activities. Training sessions should be limited to about 10 minutes of time or less. Putting your puppy outside while you are away from home is the best way to keep him from chewing on your prized possessions while you are gone. You could also put valuable objects out of your dog's reach and make sure you leave toys for your dog to play with.

Consistently practice the skills your dog has learned with him. Give him "quizzes" to make sure he still knows his stuff, even if you both know he does. A trick you could teach your dog is to hold something in his mouth, such as a toy. Start by using a clicker and treating him every time he picks up a toy in his mouth. Wait until he puts the toy near his mouth after he performs these actions a few times. When he is successful, click him off and give him a treat. Next, only give him a reward if he holds the toy using his mouth. Don't be ashamed to ask for help if your training program doesn't change your dog's behavior. If training is not going well, you may need a pro. A dog trainer can be invaluable in pointing out where the issues are occurring, and they can also put you back onto the right track.

A majority of dog bites can be attributed to a fearful dog. This is common behavior for a dog that feels as if he is trapped, threatened, or scared. While training your dog, you should avoid the use of excessive force. Forcing a dog to do something it doesn't feel comfortable doing can cause you to get bitten. By doing this, pleasing you will be one of your dog's life goals as it will see you as the pack leader. With any luck, this advice will increase the pleasure your dog brings to you and your loved ones.

When a dog is properly trained, it makes owning a dog very rewarding and less frustrating. Regardless of if you decide to train your dog on your own or use a professional, it is key that you do train your dog to ensure a happy union with your dog.

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