Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Five Tips about Dog Training

Here are five of the best tips about dog training to help you train your dog and get on track:



1. Reinforcement:


What is reinforcement anyways? It is a stimulus (a change in the external or internal environment) that occurs right after a behavior is performed, and it increases the chance of the behavior happening again. This dog training technique is the simplest and most humane form of dog training.

A classic example of how reinforcement works is this: You ask your dog to sit or heel, he sits or heels; you give him his favorite treat. Let’s break that down: You gave a command, your dog submitted to you, in return for his submission he is rewarded.

The treat you gave him is the stimulus; your dog observed that something good came out of submission. This is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is a very powerful tip about dog training because it creates an environment that is your dog loves to be around. Within this environment, your dog will be eager to not only be with you, but also learn new things.

You must realize though, that reinforcement is not a one time action. If you are consistent in your reinforcement, the positive behavior your dog shows will become second nature.


2. Leash Training:


If you own a dog, chances are that one day you will want to take your dog for a walk. Unfortunately, sometimes it is the owners who are being “walked” instead of being in control. Defiance towards leash control can range from aggressive behaviors such as biting, snapping, intense barking, and lunging at other dogs or people.


  • Never walk a dog or puppy on a tight leash, you are only rewarding the dog for its actions and you are confirming this negative behavior.


If your dog pulls on the leash while walking stop walking immediately. Wait for the dog to return to your, of if you prefer pat your leg while encouraging your dog back to your side.

Another technique is to stop walking, turn around and walk in the other direction. Make sure to reward your dog with his favorite treat when he complies with you and your authority. These tips are great because your not forcing your companion to do anything, they are learning and making the decisions themselves.


3. Socializing:


As with children, the amount of interaction with others is a crucial factor on how your dog will react amongst other dogs and people. Socialization should take place as soon as possible, the younger the better. However, if you are trying to socialize an older dog be aware that it will take longer.

The very first step you should take while socializing your dog is in your home. Try to see if you can touch areas under the eyes, in between paws, and in the ears. Getting you companion comfortable with these areas being touched will simulate what other dogs will “inspect”.

With the first step out of the way, it’s time to introduce your dog to other dogs. Pay close attention to how your dog reacts to the actions of the other animals. Pull your dog back if he is showing signs of aggression or fear and distract him with a toy or treat. Socialization is a gradual process and will take a few times for your dog to be comfortable with others.


4. Separation Anxiety:


Is your furniture shredded and chewed to bits? Are you or your neighbors tired from excessive barking and whining? Does your house have scratch damaged doors and windows? If you had to answer yes to any of these questions, your pet dog more than likely has separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is one of the most sought after tips about dog training. Why? Because the effects of anxiety creates grief for both the animal and owner. Here are some techniques to implement:

  • Exercise- Maintaining regular exercise burns off your dog’s energy, leaving less energy for barking, boredom, and whining. One benefit of this tip is that you are keeping your dog healthy and helping resolve his anxiety.

  • Behavior Modification- As the owner, you need to make sure your time apart is not a big deal. Before you leave, simply set out your dog’s favorite toy or his favorite treats. Then just walk out the door quietly, ignoring any pleas or whines. When you return, ignore your dog for a few minutes. This is not punishment; it is simply establishing that your departure was not a major event.

  • Medication- I would suggest medication only as a last resort. If your dog is suffering from depression or extreme cases of anxiety, contact your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medication. You should be aware though, that these types of medication can have side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. Medication can also require weeks to work.


5. House training:


The tips about dog training in this particular subject differ based on the aged of your dog. If you own a puppy follow these tips:

  • Take the new puppy to your yard, or the place where you want him to call “bathroom”, and allow him to relieve himself. Once he does, praise him on how good of a deed he did. Until your puppy knows where to relieve himself, it will be your responsibility to carry your pup outside and let him do his thing. Remember to praise him verbally or with treats.

  • Implement the use of a crate during your training. The confined space of the crate mimics the environment of the den at birth. Your puppy will be comfortable with the lack of room because it provides feelings of security. In the crate you should place a food dish and water bowl. Having your puppy comfortable with being in the crate will also help when you are not home; your puppy will reside in his crate while he awaits your return.


If you own an older dog follow these tips:
  • As with a pup, introduce your seasoned companion to the yard or restroom area. Walk him around the yard and let him relieve himself. Just as before, offer verbal praise or tasteful treats to encourage this behavior again in the future. Since older dogs have certain developed habits, house breaking your dog will take a little longer.

  • Keeping a daytime schedule is a crucial factor. Creating a regular schedule of feeding and bathroom times will help minimize the chances of accidents in the house. By maintaining a schedule you can control around what times you prefer your dog to do his business, making it easier for you to know what time your dog should be let outside.


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2 comments:

  1. Informative read about dog training,According to me dog clicker training is one of the best dog training methods if you wish to teach your puppy or new dog the standard commands such as sit and stay.


    Thanks & Regards
    Vitamins For Dogs

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  2. Excellent! it is very useful post and tips for puppy training. How to train your puppies is a question asked by almost all dog owners. It seems everyone has advice and tips, and opinions on the best way to train your puppies.

    Puppies learn very fast with proper training. The primary few days at home are very important for puppies and the examples you set now will last a life span. Following these basic techniques as soon as you bring your puppy home will make sure a positive housetraining experience for you and your puppy:-

    * Ensure you give your dog lots of consideration and attention when he’s doing the right and good thing. Praise him plentifully when he’s been a good boy.

    * There is nothing intrinsically incorrect with telling your dog “no,” it’s just that it doesn’t give him sufficient information. Instead of “no,” instruct him what you want him to do.

    * Give your puppy recurrent admission to his toilet area for preventing soiling inside house. Reward the puppy for do so - give a special treat.

    * Nourish your puppy with 2 – 3 meals per day. Leave food out for 15-20 minutes then take away the leftover food. Never leave food out for puppy to eat at will. This helps you find out when she’ll have to go potty. www.dog-buy.com

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