You thought you were bringing home Lassie from the pound, but some days it feels more like you might have brought home Cujo! Don't worry, with proper techniques even the worst dog can learn to be well behaved.
A main focus of training is timing your sessions appropriately. Start by having a shorter training session and add a little more time daily. End the session as soon as your dog's attention begins to stray.
Refrain from using extreme devices for training your dog, such as a shock collar. They are often scams and, in any case, are completely unnecessary to proper training your dog. In addition, shock collars and some similar items can actually discourage your dog from practicing good behavior. The negative training causes negative outcomes.
As you are working to house train your pet, select a single term or phrase that you will use. Each time you let your dog out to relieve himself, use a phrase such as “go potty” so that he associates going outside with going to the bathroom.
As you train dogs, it is necessary to utilize a consistent tone and volume when giving commands. They will know this tone of your voice and associate it with being in trouble. You should also work on developing different tones to use in different situations. For example, you can have a sharp one for disciplinary purposes, and a firm, but not-as-sharp one for simple commands.
“Leave it” is a command that should be taught and reinforced early on. “Leave it” can prevent furniture chewing, save valuable objects from being destroyed and save your dog from consuming dangerous and/or poisonous substances.
If your pet is a problematic barker, try this training tip. Choose a simple word or directive you can use to quiet him down and discourage barking. Choose words to use, such as “quiet”, and when they bark, use the word or words and give them a treat when they stop. Only give them the treat when they obey the command. If this is done with sufficient frequency, the dog is sure to associate treats with the command to be silent.
Using different tones for different training purposes can be a useful tool in training a dog. A command should have a different tone than praise so that your dog can better understand how his behavior causes your reaction. You should use a firm tone of voice for your commands, a loud tone for your scoldings, and a natural, pleasant tone for your praise.
Treats are great incentives when training a dog; however, treats can cause a dog to become overweight, so limit the number offered. These treats are often ignored when considering calories, and yet they have an impact on the diet and health of your pet.
When you are consistent, your dog will learn to postpone his elimination until he is at an appropriate spot. When you are at home, spend time with your dog and take him outside every hour. Give him praise when he goes to the bathroom outside. Never react harshly to your dog going potty inside. He is not yet aware that this is wrong and he is going to learn if you just yell at him. Let the dog outside roughly 15 minutes following food or drink, and also each time he emerges from the crate.
Many owners are surprised by how basic puppy training can be added to their life and just how fast they can see results. So if your relationship with your pooch is feeling a bit strained, try out some of these tips.