Getting a new puppy or a dog is one of the most exciting experiences for a pet owner. Dogs are a man’s best friend and not just because they love playing with you – they’re loyal, they’re obedient, they love spending time with you, and they always seem to manage to lift your spirits.
It’s lovely having a dog in your house; however, most new dog owners don’t realize that their new pup isn’t trained yet. You can train your puppy however you want, but it’s important to know how to train them exactly. Some struggle with puppy training, while others get the hang of it super fast. You don’t necessarily have to be a professional dog trainer, nor should you feel the need to send your dog to one. With the following dog training tips and secrets, you can easily train your dog at home and teach them how to listen to you. Let’s take a look!
Historically, man and dog have always been in partnership and bonded through mutual respect.
Far too often, people assume that to train your new dog, you have to assert your dominance over them. Instead of adopting a master-owner relationship, try to be more gentle and show lots of compassion to your new pup. Bonding with your dog is the first step to training your dog.
Whether you realize it or not, your dog is always picking up on rewards, which shapes its behavior. Rewards can be in the form of treats, attention from you, playing games with them, going outdoor.
When you’re training your dog, you must pay close attention to timing. Reward your dog as soon as they exhibit the desired behavior. This will act as a positive reinforcement for your dog and train them to behave accordingly.
Having a new dog is like raising a young toddler. Puppies are bound to make mistakes, and often it will piss you off. But it’s important to remember that you can train your dog by using positive punishments. Did they pee on the couch or your hardwood floor? Tap their nose with a newspaper. They pooped on the carpet or chewed on the TV remote? Raise your voice and tell them, “No!”
When training your dog to not behave a certain way, the timing of your punishment is key. If you yell at them an hour later after you’ve spotted the mess, they won’t make the association, and it can eventually turn you into someone they fear rather than love. Just like with rewards, you must punish your dog as soon as you catch them in the act.
When we’re on the subject of dog training, we must highlight the importance of prevention. Your dog is a creature of habit, and ultimately, every behavior turns into a habit. Try to notice the unwanted behavior of your dog and make sure to prevent it from happening again.
If your dog is developing the habit of peeing inside your house, try to take them outside every couple of hours during the day and reward them as soon as they do their business outside. This will train your pup to eliminate only outside. For more tips on how to potty-train your dog, click here.
People often make the mistake of thinking that their puppy will grow out of the bad behavior, or once they get older, they’ll stop chewing on your clothes. Dogs don’t grow out of their behavior. If you’re not careful, their behavior will turn into a habit. If your dog likes to chew on things, get a tug rope and play with them instead. Finding an alternative will prevent the undesired behavior from happening.
When attempting to train your dog, owners often try to give commands before their dog has their full attention. This trick is used by professional dog trainers as well. You can grab your dog’s attention by calling their name and maintaining eye contact. Once you have your dog’s attention, give them a command or direction. Once they display the desired behavior reward them with a treat. Getting your dog’s attention can go a long way in training your pup.
Young puppies don’t have the cognitive skills to respond to complicated commands. It’s important that you start with basic commands like sit, stand, stay, and break these into smaller steps. If you’re trying to train your puppy into staying still, start by making them sit and take one step back. If your puppy doesn’t move, give them a treat, and try taking two steps back. Keep this up till you can easily make them stay wherever you are. You can even leave the room and train your dog to sit and wait till you get back.
Before training your puppy to follow a command, they must learn to recognize their name. You can turn this into a game by sitting with them in an enclosed space and let your dog get distracted. When their attention has diverted, call out their name in a happy voice.
If your dog looks up in your direction, give them a treat. Repeat this 2-3 times and show your dog some affection. Keep this up for two days, and your dog will learn to respond to their name whenever they’re called.
After teaching your dog their name, begin training them by responding to the top 5 commands: sit, heel, down, come, and eat. Soon you’ll have a fully trained pup in no time. Remember, a little patience and a lot of love can go a long way!
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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