If your dog senses that you’re a wimp in need of direction, he’ll gladly step into that leadership role and rule the roost. Somebody has to be the top dog – if you won’t, your dog will.
When it comes to training, what you want to do is redirect the dog’s natural inclinations to outlets that are acceptable to you. Training continues the work of building a relationship between you and your faithful companion. The process, done correctly and with patience, helps to establish communication, enhance understanding and is a subtle demonstration of your command over the dog.
Whether house training, training for obedience, or teaching your four footed friend a few more involved tricks to impress company ? start with an attitude of quiet confidence. From there, use some of these common-sense guidelines while working with your dog:
1. Always be firm and consistent – this will show your dog that he can’t get away with misbehaving, even if he is the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.
2. Keep training sessions short ? no more than 10 to 15 minutes two times per day, depending on your dog’s attention span.
3. Find a distraction-free place to work ? choose a quiet, familiar environment free of distractions so the dog’s attention isn’t drawn to other things that make it hard to focus on what you want to teach.
4. Every so often, show your dog who’s boss ? make him move and take his place, or eat your meal before feeding him his, these simple actions put your pet in his place and establishes you as a leader.
5. Never yell at or hit your dog ? this teaches him to be nervous and fearful around you and keeps him from learning what you want to teach.
6. Use repetition ? do things over and over and over again, using the same tone of voice, command and hand gestures until he gets it, reward every time your dog does as you ask.
7. Use reward ? not only the treats your dog loves, but lavish your dog with praise in a high-pitched, happy voice and add lots of squeals of delight for effect and be sure you say his name frequently.
8. When issuing commands like “sit” or “come” use a low, gruff voice ? dogs don’t understand any of the words we say, but they do recognize and respond to a change in tone.
9. Practice learned tricks regularly ? even after he’s got a trick, reinforce what he or she knows by doing the trick again and again every day; teach only one new trick each week.
If you’re having problems training your dog ? don’t lose hope (or patience).
puppy training tips