Many dog owners erroneously assume that their dogs will benefit from a flexible environment free of rules. Nothing could be further from the truth. All dogs should have fun, but with the guidance and encouragement of their owners. A regular training routine can help build a proper relationship between you and your dog. Your dog’s anxiety can be replaced with confidence with just a little work! This article has tips to build a solid training routine for your pet.
Sometimes it may be necessary to physically establish yourself as the Alpha in the pack. If your animal is being aggressive to another animal or a person, hold them by the scruff of the neck and put them in a prone position on the ground firmly, not violently. This lets your dog know you are in charge and exhibits behavior they would expect from another dog.
A good plan when training your dog is to keep your sessions short. When you have multiple, short sessions of training, as opposed to one long set, your dog will stay interested and will anticipate more. Keeping your pet motivated by short interval sessions will be effective and have a stronger impact.
Consider your dog’s personality as you begin your training program. Make sure to start slowly if your pet has aggressive tendencies. If you try to exert control over a dog that prefers to be dominant, your pet may react aggressively toward you and derail your training plans.
Come up with a phrase that you can teach your puppy during house training. If you use the special phrase you have come up with each time you take him outside, you will get him to focus on what he is supposed to do.
Anytime your dog does something good, make sure you reward him. You want to be able to reward your dog when he does what you want him to do. Your dog will soon learn the difference between good and bad behavior.
You need to be use rewards and positive reinforcers when you are training your pet. Praise the dog with petting, upbeat words and the occasional treat when he does something right. Do not shout or strike the dog. Not only are those things ineffective, but they are also cruel. Always be firm, be consistent and use positive reinforcement to make your dog understand what you want from it.
Set goals for training your dog. Decide what time of day you will work with your dog and how long you will work. Decide exactly what you want to work on, and be consistent. Work on the same things, in the same way, at the same time every day until mastered. Once you have accomplished one goal, build on it by adding something new. Don’t skip around or be inconsistent. This is confusing for your dog.
It’s easy to see how a few lifestyle changes can truly benefit your canine friend for years to come. Your dog needs rules, boundaries and guidance to make the right choices, and he depends on you to set him up for success. Your job as a pet owner is to always make sure your pet is comfortable. A solid training routine to build his confidence is the first step to behavioral success.