Why Should You Train Your Dog?
Apart from not wanting your dog to pee on your furniture and bite your visitors, training a dog provides surprising benefits that can strengthen your and your pet’s bond. Despite what many believe, you can start training a dog at any age. So whether you have a new puppy that needs some manners, or an older dog that likes to bark at every passing squirrel, every breed and age can benefit from training. Dogs benefit from structure and actually become more confident when they know how to behave around their favorite humans. Plus, your vet will thank you for easy examinations! Training also provides a dog with mental stimulation, and the treats for being a “good boy” aren’t so bad either.
Top Tips For Training a Dog
Before you begin your dog’s training session, ensure you are in an area without distractions. Your dog will focus better away from things that excite or stress them.Keep it light and fun. Be patient, and don’t worry if they don’t pick up on it right away. There’s always tomorrow!Don’t try to cram everything into one day. Break up the training into small regular lessons. Your dog is more likely to remember the steps if you are teaching consistently every day or week within a shorter period.End each training session with something they know how to do so they develop confidence. And be sure to give out rewards for their efforts!Studies show that dogs who are trained with a playful, reward-system approach respond and perform much better than those who are trained with a punishment-based system.
How To Train a Dog to Stop Barking
Excessive and nuisance barking is often a sign that your dog is not getting enough stimulation. If they are cooped up inside all day by themselves, they may be more likely to bark at every noise or unfamiliar sight. Ensure your dog gets daily outside exercise time and socialization. While you’re away, try leaving the TV on for background noise or providing stimulating puzzles and toys. Sometimes, our dogs bark at us for attention. Do you notice your dog barking when they want outside or need food? It might be instinctual to respond but don’t. Wait for them to be silent before you fulfill their needs. And finally, teach the “quiet” command. Say “quiet” in a firm, calm voice and reward them when they listen.
How To Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash
Puppies have short attention spans, which can be difficult if you are trying to take them for a nice walk around the neighborhood. And since leash laws exist in most towns, walking on a leash is an essential skill your dog must learn. Follow these steps to train your dog or puppy to walk on a leash:
How To Train a Dog to Sit
For this next training session, you will need delicious dog treats and a clicker.
How To Train a Dog to Pee Outside
How To Train a Dog Not to Bite
Training a dog not to bite starts when they are puppies. Pups who learn bite inhibition are less likely to be adult dogs who bite. You can teach this by yelling “ow!” loudly when they bite or nip you. But bear in mind that some puppies get excited over this and want to keep biting. If you notice this in your dog, it’s best to quietly walk away or put them in their crate for “time-out.” If your dog backs off, be sure to praise them. You can also use a bitter spray to keep them from biting or chewing. If your puppy likes to bite while playing with you, quickly end playtime and put them in a crate or other area where they know the fun is over. Eventually, they will catch on and understand that biting and nipping mean “game-over.”
How Long Does it Take To Train a Dog?
Time frames for training will vary based on the skill desired. Learning to sit may only take a week or two before they master the command, while housetraining can take four to six weeks. Most of the training in this article will take at least four weeks before you can truly start to see results. But you must keep a regular and consistent schedule as it takes time for dogs to learn new routines. And above all, be patient. You may feel frustrated when you don’t see immediate results, but stay the course, dole out lots of praise, and you will begin seeing positive outcomes.
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