There are many purposes for training a dog. Dogs are trained as assistants to the handicapped or ill, some are trained as specialized hunting dogs, some perform work and others are trained to be good, pleasurable house pets. Dogs are eager to please their master. This can make this them an great pet to have. No matter what your reason for training your dog, you will find some common sense ideas to make it easy in the article below.
It takes small steps to crate train your puppy; they must become accustomed to it. First, put them inside with the door still open. When they get used to that, close the gate and give them a treat they like. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate, starting with just a few seconds. If the dog becomes agitated, slow down a little more to make them more comfortable.
Your dog needs to be active frequently. Almost all dogs have short attention spans. When a dog is bored, he will be hard to train. Your dog will be more relaxed and willing to listen if he is exercised frequently. It is a great idea to take your dog out on runs or walks through the neighborhood.
When you train your dog, you need to establish control. Your dog must see you as a leader, or they will not follow your commands. Always walk in front of the dog when you go on walks, because this is the position to show leadership.
As the dog improves, greater freedom can be granted. The balance between freedom and obedience is a rewarding one. Just be cautious not to give too much freedom at once, as this may have a counter effect on your canine training.
Early on, always have a tasty treat on hand to immediately reward your dog for responding to a command. Giving a treat is how you show your dog that you appreciate the behavior. This is the proper way to make sure the dog knows the difference between good behavior and bad.
Primary reinforcement is good to use when training your dog. This method involves eliciting the desired behavior by giving the pet a treat or reward upon completion. Some of the most effective rewards include dog bones, treats and affectionate scratching or petting. Your dog will learn well from this.
Use positive reinforcements when training your dog. Use a soft tone to let your dog know you are satisfied and give it some small treats too. Don't ever yell at or hit your dog. These forms of punishment are ineffective. Be firm, consistent and positive for the best results in puppy training.
Keep track of the number of treats you give your dog. Your dog needs to watch his weight, too. It's easy to overlook the treats, but the do add up, especially when you're doing a lot of training.
When training, only use short sessions. Training sessions should be no longer than fifteen minutes at a time to help ensure success. After training make sure to play with your pet and show him a lot of praise.
As you have read, pet owners choose to train their dogs for many different reasons. Dogs are well-known for a desire to please their owner, which makes them easier to train. It is hoped that you have gained useful insight into how to train your dog to be the companion that you desire.