Home Based Dog Training

When it comes to training your dog, there are some guidelines which you must follow. You cannot simply teach a dog how to behave by using methods which are not deemed appropriate. Being a responsible dog owner requires you to be knowledgeable of the right way you can train a dog. This means that you should not use force when you are teaching your dog how to behave.

If you follow the right ways dogs should be trained, your relationship with your dog will become stronger and better. Not only will your dog appreciate your willingness to be patient with him, you are also spared from getting a painful throat from all the shouting. Here are some tips on how you can train your dog correctly:

Be Positive- Training a dog can be compared to training your child. It is always important to make use of positive reinforcement once you are training both. This can be achieved by offering a few doggie treats and lots of praise once he does something right. As early as the first sessions of training, you can already start giving out doggie treats and verbal praise so that your dog can get accustomed to it.

Start Young- The ideal time to begin training a dog is usually when he is around six to eight weeks old. But this can even be earlier, depending on your puppy’s ability. Keep in mind however; teaching a new trick to your dog is never too late.

Mistakes- In instances where your dog makes an accident, avoid hitting him with a newspaper or rubbing your dog’s nose in it. This will only produce a serious problem that you have to live with; your dog will become afraid of you. The next time you tell your dog to come over, he won’t because he will be afraid that you will only hit him or rub his nose in the carpet.

The Right Tone- When giving out commands like heel and come, you should use a friendly and happy voice. Meanwhile, commands such as stay, sit, and down should be done with a firmer and lower voice.

Short Lessons- Ideally, learning basic commands should only take around fifteen minutes. Try teaching your dog only one basic command until he gets it right before you progress to the next. Once the fifteen minutes is over, play with your dog so that he will associate his lessons as a positive time which he will look forward to.

Distractions- The best way to train your dog is by taking him into a place where there are no other pets or distractions. The important thing is to ensure that your dog has your full attention.

Always keep in mind that dog training should be a fun activity which you and your pet can share. Do not scare your dog as this will weaken your relationship with him. Also, you must be patient when your dog does not get the command the first time. Through continuous practice, your dog will surely get it right.