Training your dog is not as difficult as you may think. It is easy to build a solid, firm foundation of mutual respect and love with your canine companion. Establish trust with your dog and he or she is sure to value your standing as the pack leader that you are.
The walk can be very hard to master, but with the right practice and patience, your dog will be walking right by your side in no time. Firstly, do not allow them to leave the door first. When you put his leash on, make him sit first or give you his paw. In short, some sort of obedience to get him in the spirit. Then, when you are actually outside, if he begins to walk in front of you, give the leash a quick tug to assert yourself as the one in charge.
Treats are not the mainstay for rewarding your pet when training. Dogs will learn that if you give them a treat for a response they should expect it always. This is not necessary and should be reserved for occasional rewards. Dogs see loving, physical contact as a reward as well and will enjoy it much more than a treat that is gone in a split second.
If your dog is misbehaving, try to determine why. It is important to work out why your dog is doing what it does. Knowing the reason for poor behavior can make training significantly easier. It is far more difficult to correct an action that you do not fully understand the reasoning behind.
Give your puppy with lots of chewable toys, otherwise he might alleviate his teething pain on your nice furniture. Replace the tasty item you do not want chewed with a designated chew toy. To help your dog cope with painful teething, give him a wet washcloth that has been frozen.
Training your puppy should start as early as 6 weeks old. The earlier you can start training your new pup, the better the results will be. Studies have found that dogs are the most receptive to training from 6 to 14 weeks old so use that time wisely.
To help potty train puppies, consider using a crate. Crate training may sound unpleasant, but it’s actually one of the most natural ways to train puppies. A crate is considered their home or den, and puppies have an instinct not to soil in this space. Just be sure to limit the time spent in the crate, so your pup can spend time with you too.
It is important to understand that training your dog will require a lot of patience and repetition. It often takes a dog between 25 and 50 repetitions before they are able to learn a new command. Getting frustrated will only delay your results and may hurt your relationship with your pet.
When you take the time to build a valuable relationship with your dog, you are investing in a task that will reward you for years to come. Enjoy the great feeling of love and admiration that emanates from your pup and experience the type of dog that everyone wants to have.