When you first meet your dog, chances are he didn't show his true colors and may have come to you with a few “problems”. However, there's still hope! A bit of training goes a long way in reducing bad dog behavior.
Timing is everything in dog training. While you want to devote a good amount of time to it, you do not want to go too far. Start with a short session and gradually add more time to it. When the animal appears to lose interest, you will know which duration produces the best results per session.
Dogs have a tendency to zone in on one particular thing until something else grabs their attention. Eventually, you will be able to ensure that your dog is more focused on you and your commands than other distractions.
If you intend to use a crate in training your dog, make sure the crate is an appropriate size for your dog. Your little puppy will get bigger, remember! Get a crate that is the right size for your dog when it gets older. Dogs need room to move about and lie down, and they should not be cramped.
Continuously maintain all training that you have done with your dog, and consider adding new behaviors as you go. Many times, owners feel that since their animals have gone through dog training, they can just forget about it. However, pets and humans share similar habit systems. So, it's very important that you review your training with your dog regularly.
Anytime your dog does something good, make sure you reward him. They have to know that doing the right thing brings a happy ending. Doing so makes your dog learn what he can and can't do.
You need to teach your puppy how to leave an item alone with a simple command such as “leave it.” This command teaches them to cease chewing on furniture or items around the house and it keeps them safe from filthy or hazardous items outside.
Be careful not to spend too much time at once training your dog. Dog attention spans only go so far, so make sure not to go on too long. Limit the amount of time you train at first to less than 10 minutes.
Take extra care with the tone you use whenever you discipline your dog. Dogs are very intuitive. A firm but stern tone should be enough to reinforce discipline.
Aggressive Dog
As you train your dog, have an eye on other dogs when walking yours. Some dogs are more aggressive by nature and it is wrong to assume that it is the result of the owner. If you happen upon an aggressive dog, walk away from the aggressive dog.
When you are training your dog with a leash, try to ensure that the leash is loose. Dogs want to see what's going on around them at all times. Many dogs will strain against the leash due to their eagerness. Informed owners avoid this behavior by leaving a bit of slack when walking.
Does your dog have a problem with biting furniture or even other people? If so, then spray them with a mist of water. Your dog will understand that this action means that the behavior is unacceptable. Eventually, they won't do these behaviors anymore and your dog will be obedient and playful.
Most dog owners are surprised at how simple it is to include canine training routines into their lifestyle and how fast they see results. Therefore, should you start to feel frustration with your dog, put some of the following advice to work.