When some people adopt a dog, they have not really thought things through. As with any relationship, the time you spend with your dog should show commitment. In order for dogs to behave, they need a lot of good training. Whether you are a new pet owner or have a dedicated dog in your home, the ideas from this article should be of use to you as you work on a training program.
Use the right size crate for effective crate training. Puppies will grow up quite quickly. Choose a crate which will be suitable for the puppy when he matures into an adult. Generally speaking, your pet should be able to circle, sit and sleep without discomfort.
During the dog training process, take care not to inadvertently reinforce bad behavior. Do not pay attention to your dog or pet it if he does something you are not happy about. You should not pet your dog when it jumps on you or acknowledge its barking.
You need to teach your dog right away that they should drop or back away from something when you say “leave it.” You can use this command for a number of purposes. For example, it is used to prevent the dog from chewing on something or even to guide them out of harm's way.
Consistently train your dog. If multiple family members are involved in a pet's training, make sure everyone is using the same commands and a similar system of discipline and rewards. It will be easier for the dog if he or she learns only one particular command set and becomes accustomed to the response the behavior receives.
Don't get frustrated by accidents during the potty training phase. Always immediately clean-up any messes your dog makes. Urine and feces smells will stay in the carpet if you don't clean them up straight away, causing your dog to go back to the same place to do his business. Check any local stores or pet shops for products that are specifically designed to remove the urine smell from a carpet.
In order to encourage good behavior during training, praise is critical. You can act as though you are super excited and talk to them in a happy tone of voice. Don't even give praise or treats when the dog doesn't follow your commands or you will destroy what you're trying to achieve.
By being consistent in your methods, it is possible to teach your dog to “hold it.” If at home, be sure to spend some time with him and bring him outside every 50 minutes. If you dog uses the bathroom outside, praise him. Don't scold a dog after an accident. The dog is not aware that this is undesirable behavior, and scolding will not change that fact. When it has an accident, take it out and show it where it should go.
Even a well-trained family dog who is already a satisfying pet will benefit from the tips presented here. Training your dog is ultimately your responsibility, the last thing you want is your dog to be constantly behaving badly.