Train Your Dog
Did you get a dog and are not sure how to train it? Do you currently own a dog and have been desperately trying to eliminate negative behaviors? Either way, you are sure to find useful advice in this article. Read on for some great techniques to create a wonderful bond with your pet.
The diet you are feeding your dog needs to match their needs and activity level. The diet that is right for a working dog is a lot different from that of a dog that lounges around the house all day. Talk with your vet regarding what is right for your pup and don't forget their needs will change as they age.
Negative methods of training your dog don't work. Just as with humans, positive reinforcement of behaviors is much more effective. Use praise, treats and play time to show your dog that you are pleased with their performance. If he cannot do what you are asking him, do not punish him or yell at him. He will associate trying to do the task with negativity and will avoid the task even harder the next time.
Stay very consistent and persistent when starting your crate training regimen. When the dog is let out of the crate, it is necessary to give him a chance to relive himself right away. With time, your puppy will wait for the right tine to relieve himself.
When crating your dog it is best to always remove their collar. Even the best designed dog crates offer the possibility of a collar becoming snagged. The result could be catastrophic. By removing your dog's collar before you crate them you are acting to protect them from being strangled to death.
While training your dog, observe his body language and general behavior closely. Look for signs of enthusiasm. Is his tail wagging? Does he follow you around? This shows he's ready to learn. If you see your dog is scared, bored or nervous, stop what you are doing and reevaluate.
Make sure you and your family are consistent with your commands. If one person uses "down" to tell the dog to get off the couch while another says "off" and a third is letting him lay there, the dog is going to get mixed signals. It makes it much more difficult for him to learn the commands.
Many people make the mistake of calling their dog to them when they are bad. If you are currently dog training, it is essential that you do not do this. Your dog will begin to associate you calling him over, as a bad thing and the dog will want to avoid you. So make sure you are calling your dog when he has done something well.
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.
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.
Set your dog up to succeed for the end of a session. End all of your training sessions with a command that you know that he can do and reward him for his effort. You don't want him to come away depressed about training time, but you also don't want to reward him if he was not responding well during the session. Giving him a task or command that you know he can do allows you to reward him without confusing him.
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.
If you want your dog to bond with a favorite toy, such as a lovey or chewing object, make the toy a treat. Filling the toy with a wonderful smell or treat, such as peanut butter, can make it very enticing for your pup. If the toy is a kong style, fill it with his kibble for meals.
To train a dog how to act around people and guests in your home, it is crucial that the dog is socialized with other people. This contact with people, especially people who are new to your dog, will allow you to train the dog on how he should react. This is very useful to the training process.
If you want your dog to stop digging, play with him in the yard. Many dogs who dig do so out of boredom and the desire to get back at their owner. Playing in the yard with your pet offers him the socialization and exercise he needs, and it is also a fun way to bond with your favorite pooch.
Make sure you listen to your dog. What is he telling you? Your dog's behavior will often give you a window into his mind. Destructive dogs are often bored or anxious. Anxious dogs may act inconsistently with strangers. No matter the trouble, your dog is telling you how he feels when he behaves in situations.
Training a dog is easy, so what's stopping you? Use the tips immediately to start training your dog to be obedient. Dogs want to please their owners. They just need someone to firmly show them how. Give it a try now!
