It’s long been said that dog is man(kind)’s best friend, but some people really struggle with getting the dog to be obedient. It is possible to love your dog, and give her a good life, but to unknowingly be exhibiting and rewarding negative behaviours patterns. Though your dog is likely to exhibit different character traits, and will certainly look individual, there are some overall techniques that work on most dogs.
It’s not just obedience too. That’s the first hurdle to overcome, but if you’ve seen those dogs doing cool tricks on Vines and in the park, then follow our guide too. Once you have mastered the command of canine respect, you’ll have your best friend doing anything you want him to.
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What Are The Key Elements In Dog Training?
We often confuse loving our dog and showing her affection for being a good leader. Essentially dog training relies on the ability to lead, which requires energy, organisation, and a bit of tough love. Just as we do with children, we need to demonstrate boundaries to our pets, in order to get them to produce more of the positive behaviours we wish to see. That said, rewarding good behaviours with treats or affection can be effective ways to train your dog.
Top Tips For Training Your Dog
You need to understand the dog’s basic needs which are exercise, food, discipline and affection, in order to get the best behaviour from your pooch. Follow these tips and you’ll be on the path to poochie paradise.
Create a schedule and stick to it
Dogs are creatures of habit and they will get used to a schedule, which they stick to with rigidity once they have learnt it. This does mean you need to be consistent. Be sure to start the day with a good long walk, up to 45 minutes. Particularly if you’re going to be out at work during the day, this is essential for his physical and mental health.
Boundaries
Be sure that you know your boundaries, and set them out daily for your dog. This way you are demonstrating that you are the leader. You can reward the dog with treats or affection when they adhere to the boundaries. These include things like walking ahead of the hound when you go out. This is a subtle indicator that you are in charge, and sets a precedent for the rest of the walk. Keep the dog at your side or behind you on the walk to reinforce your position as the alpha.
Rewards
Before letting the dog have her dinner, make sure that she has had to perform something that deserves reward. As little as getting him to sit, or stay, this again demonstrates your authority. After time, the dog will automatically perform this action before eating every time, which is an excellent behaviour to foster. The same technique can be used for water and even affection, which is also a reward.
Choose The Right Time
Being pack animals, dogs love to get attention from their owners. They seek approval, and attention is one way of giving them it. However you need to be sure that you only give this attention when you see fit, as opposed to when they want it. For example, dogs who cry or chew things are trying to get attention, but this is negative behaviour. Practise not looking or touching them until they exhibit the good behaviours.
By now you should understand some of the basics of dog training. Some advice or guidance suggests animal cruelty such as shouting or hitting, but by being positive and sending subtle gestures, your dog will respect you, and in return you will respect her. An excellent accompaniment to this article is Doggy Dan’s Online Dog Trainer, which is a special community packed with positive tips and tricks to help you help your dog to stay on the right track.