Blue merle Border Collie pup at 15 weeks starting to use the eye. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Teaching a puppy can be trying. However, puppy training is
important to ensure that your property, your home, your pet and other people
are safe. Positive training is the only method worth using. You must be
consistent and patient throughout the process. Give yourself some time every
day to train your puppy - under 30 minutes is ideal. The time should be between
15 and 30 minutes; any longer and the puppy will lose interest.
Do not expect miracles if poor behavior is ingrained.
Previous owners may have allowed certain behaviors that you disapprove of, but
they will take longer to train away. A puppy that is trained early in life will
be more receptive to training and development.
Try not to reinforce bad behaviors from your puppy. You
should avoid using strips of food or attention to train when you are trying to
discourage behaviors. For instance, don't pat your puppy on the head if it's
jumping up on you.
Using a loose leash is key when you are training your puppy to accept a leash. When dogs are going for a walk, they will often want to check out new territory. Because they are so eager, they will probably strain the leash. Rather than allowing this behavior to continue, a looser leash walk should be encouraged by the person in control of the animal.
Get your puppy into a feeding routine. Feed your dog at the same times every day, so that he knows what to expect.
Great breeds that come to mind are Shetland sheep puppies and Australian shepherds. Know an older puppy's limits. It's impossible to perfectly train older puppies because of the quirks already ingrained into them. By adopting older puppies, you may face stubborn streaks. Rather than trying to change an older puppy entirely, work on their negative traits and deal with the rest of their personality. A solid training tip involves maintaining an awareness of other puppies during walks with your own puppy. Certain puppies often display aggression, and it can be dangerous to make the assumption that all dog owners have done the right thing regarding training. If you happen upon an aggressive puppy, walk away from the aggressive puppy.
Consistency is key when training a puppy. Consistency is important; always repeat commands, tone and rewards. This is the best way to train your puppy. Specific feeding habits should be established with your puppy. Feed your puppy at the same times every day, so that he knows what to expect. Your puppy will eat their food in the time that you have allotted. Make sure your puppy has gotten its shots. Health is important to ensure a functional puppy for training. Puppies are very adept at hiding pain and discomfort. Often times, behavioral changes are a clear indication that your puppy has a health issue. If your puppy is overly aggressive, try to get them help immediately. If you can read your puppy's unique behaviors and traits, you can readily avoid indoor accidents. Puppies typically have a pattern before elimination. Discovering the pattern can allow you to get the puppy outside in a timely fashion, thus reinforcing desired behaviors.
Learning these patterns are optimal towards understanding your dog's tendencies.
Don't reinforce your puppy's negative behavior by accident. This means that you should never reward your dog, with treats or attention, for doing something you're trying to train it out of.
Consistency is the key to accomplishing your goals when training your puppy. You will need to exercise your puppy's brain as well. There are many puzzle toys for puppies which can be a huge help. There are different types of puzzle toys and it is important that you choose the ones that are appealing to your puppy's strengths. A lifelong commitment to training is essential. People often think simply sending the dog to training is enough, but this is not the case. This really is not true. The puppy depends on you to teach it new things for many years to come. Continue to reinforce the training you've already provided them so that they won't forget them, and you'll continue to have an obedient puppy.
To put a halt on barking, teach your pup to obey a basic command. The next time your dog barks, let him see a treat and give the order for him to be quiet; repeat this until your puppy stops barking.
When your puppy gets adequate exercise, he can be trained more effectively and it can bring out your puppy's good behavior. An exercised puppy leads to having a responsive and happy puppy. The space you share with your pet should be calm and relaxed. Play time is great, but your dog needs to learn to stay calm as his master enters the room. Do not acknowledge his presence when you enter, so the atmosphere remains controlled until you decide when his play time begins.
When you start training a puppy, do not assume that he wont bite you. A puppy that is not trained may see you as part of the pack and believe he is the one in charge.