Responsible pet ownership entails providing your dog with daily exercise and mental stimulation. Without these two elements, your dog will start to feel sluggish and begin displaying signs of depression. In order to take the first step toward raising a well-adjusted canine, you must train your dog from an early age.
Training a dog is not as simple as it seems; training a dog can be challenging for even the most experienced pet parents. Luckily, we have compiled seven tips that will make training your pup easier than you think! These suggestions are applicable regardless of whether you have one or multiple dogs in your home.
Go Slowly
Training a dog is a process that takes time and patience. When you first begin training, don’t expect too much out of your dog. Be careful not to make him over-committed, as you will only end up with a dog who is frustrated and resentful.
Instead, start with a few simple commands and gradually increase the complexity of the training process. You may also wish to consider dog training classes, which offer a structured environment that can help you and your dog learn more quickly.
Be Consistent
Training a dog requires consistency; training a dog is not a quick “feel good” process. If you decide to start training your dog now, then you must be consistent in your approach. One day, you must correct your dog if he does not behave as you would like.
For example, if your dog is jumping on people and stealing food from the table, you must correct this behaviour immediately. You may do this by saying “No” firmly, or by physically removing your dog from the scene.
Walk before you run
When you first start training a dog, it’s easy to get anxious about having done enough and to start pushing for results fast. This might work for human-level successes, perhaps getting a dog to sit for the first time, but it’s not the best way to train a dog for a true obedience goal.
It’s important to have patience and to walk before you run. In other words, if you’re walking 10,000 steps a day, then start there. It will take you years to get to 10 steps a second, let alone 10 seconds. You don’t want to burn out and end up frustrated with a process that isn’t working.
Don’t be afraid to change your plan
One of the most important things to remember during training is that you should always be changing your plan. You might have a plan A and a plan B, or even a million different plans, but you’ll probably end up changing many of them on the way.
This is normal and should be expected. If the training process isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change your plan. If you’ve been walking 10,000 steps and it’s not giving you results, try walking 5,000 steps instead. It may seem like you’ve made a mistake, but it’s actually going to help you in the long run.
Praise And Treats Are KEY
One of the best ways to train a dog is by rewarding him while he behaves. If you want your dog to sit, then you must be consistent in rewarding him with praise and delicious treats after he performs the desired behaviour. It is also important that you praise your dog in a way that he can relate to.
For example, if your dog is sitting, you may want to say something like “Good dog!” or “Nice Sit!” To reinforce a new behaviour, you must use treats that your dog finds appealing. You can purchase dog treats in bulk or you can make your own treats from common ingredients in the kitchen.
Play Is Important Too
If your dog has plenty of time to play each day, then he will be less likely to become bored and misbehave. In addition to keeping your dog occupied and out of trouble, daily exercise can boost your dog’s immune system and reduce his risk of developing certain diseases.
A fit dog is a happy dog! When beginning training, you may wish to set aside time for training that is solely dedicated to playing. You can use this time to teach your dog new tricks and encourage him to engage with toys. It is also a good idea to keep training sessions short and sweet to maximize playtime and keep your dog happy!
Don’t Neglect The Basics
If you only train your dog when you are out of the house, then you are neglecting the basics. If your dog is left unsupervised while you are away, he will begin to misbehave. Therefore, it is important to teach your dog how to behave while you are away. This can be done using a crate, leash or baby gate.
It is also important that you develop a daily schedule for your dog. It is helpful to establish a schedule for feeding, resting, exercising and playing for your dog. By following a schedule, you will make training that much easier. This schedule can be modified if your dog gets too excited or frustrated.
Encourage Collision Behaviours
When training a dog, do not ignore the importance of playing. You must use play to teach your dog new behaviours. In addition, to play, you can also encourage collision behaviours during training. To encourage your dog to engage with toys and objects, you can use positive reinforcement.
For example, if you have a ball that your dog does not play with very often, you can get the ball and throw it for your dog. If your dog catches the ball and plays with it, then you can praise him and give the ball back. If your dog continues to play with the ball without being prompted, then you can praise him and continue throwing the ball.
Bonding Is Important Too
One of the best ways to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog is by engaging in daily activities. Daily activities such as hiking, taking walks and playing fetch can be used to foster a strong bond.
It is also a good idea to spend time with your dog while you are watching television. This time spent with your dog can be used to improve your dog’s social skills, which in turn can make him less likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour in the future.
Final Words
Training a dog is not difficult, but it is challenging. You must be patient, and consistent and reward your dog for good behaviour. You can also encourage collision behaviours, use play and engage in daily activities to strengthen your bond with your dog. If you follow these tips, then you will be well on your way to raising a well-adjusted canine!
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