There are several reasons why people get dogs. A lovable pup may have caught your eye and you just couldn't say no. Regardless of why you get a dog, you have to teach them obedience. Training is what accomplishes this. This article is going to give you some great ideas on how to accomplish this.
Make sure your dog is up and active often. Just like humans, dogs can become bored easily. When a dog's mind begins to wander, the training process loses its effectiveness. A dog that is happy, and gets the attention that they crave, will be a better behaved and attentive dog. Go on runs or long walks together.
When training, find a verbal clue your pet can understand so they will know exactly when to do as you say. The word “yes” can be the bridge between rewards and good behavior.
As your dog progresses, you won't need to exert so much control. If you can instill a healthy sense of obedience with an appreciation for your love, you and your dog are guaranteed to enjoy your time together. Just be careful that you don't give your dog too much freedom, as this can cause negative behavior.
Pay attention to the length of your dog training sessions. If you spend too much time doing one training exercise, your dog will become bored. Limit the amount of time you train at first to less than 10 minutes.
Make training with your dog fun. The two of you playing together will help build a strong bond, and that will encourage your dog to positively respond to the training. Training can be a good and fun time with your dog, but you should also set aside time that is just for play.
Your dog needs an hour or more of exercise every day along with any training or bathroom breaks. A dog that is physically active and has the chance to exercise regularly is more capable of learning during training sessions. A dog that gets to exercise and have fun will be much easier to manage.
Training lessons should be kept short. Since dogs have a tough time paying attention, you do not want to draw out the process. When you want to train more, give the dog a break and come back later.
Try using a different voice for each different purpose. Use different tones for orders, praises, warnings and reprimands so your dog can easily distinguish your different reactions. Commands should be clearly stated in a firm tone. Corrections and reprimands must be spoken more firmly, while praise should be delivered in a natural tone.
When training a dog, start with giving them a treat each time they accomplish what you ask. Once they understand the process, start using treats more selectively until they are relatively rare.
Understand that more mature dogs do have some basic limitations. You can certainly teach an old dog new tricks, but remember that it may not take 100 percent, no matter how hard you try. Remember that if you adopt an older dog, they may be very set in their ways. It's possible for them to learn new tricks, but it's best to eliminate the negative behaviors that can be altered and get used to the other ones.
So, do you think you have what it takes? Hopefully you now have a better idea of how to successfully train your dog. An obedient, well-trained dog is ideal. However, training does take time. The outcome is worth the time spent, though! Always be on the lookout for opportunities to put these great tips into action.