Free Dog Ttraining

Dog training can be a grueling process but if done correctly, it can be very rewarding in the end. Whether you have a dog in the city, the suburbs, or the country, a trained dog is always easier to handle, especially when it comes to social situations.

1. Be fair with corrections.

Be sure that your dog comprehends what you want before you correct him for not doing it. Also, let the punishment fit the crime. A correction should not be a release of anger on your dog. Instead, a correction is a way to communicate with your dog, a way to foster in him a clear understanding of his place in your human pack. At its mildest level, a correction can be the absence of praise. Before jerking the leash, remember to ask yourself if you’re being fair.

2. Be positive.

As a dog’s trainer, you must have the right attitude. Praise that is well timed and appropriate is essential to your dog’s learning process. If all that you ever do is say “no!” to your dog, your relationship isn’t going to be a very good one. How would you like to work with a boss like that?

Praise is cheap and free - so use alot of it! Use praise when your dog attempts to get it right. Use it more when your dog is successful in his task. Use it when your dog pays attention to you, because that’s the first step in the training. It’s not necessary to be some gushing goof, but you should let your dog know when you’re proud of him.

3. You and your dog are on the same team.

Don’t think of training your dog as a you versus your dog endeavor. Instead, think about the two of you being on the same team, albeit in different positions. Just as if you were the quarterback, you call the plays. Winning is a team effort. It’s just a matter of your dog learning the plays first, and you’re the one to teach him.

As a team, you will need to spend time together. Bring him into your life. Let him sleep in a crate in your bedroom, practice his “sits” in the kitchen. The more opportunities for interaction and practice you have, the faster and more reliably your dog will perform.

Felix Senhouse is a contributor for http://www.familydogcare.com

Family Dog Care is your complete resource for dog related news and information, covering topics that range from dog training to dog nutrition.

Share This

The best time to start training your dog is when he is still a puppy. Puppies, like people, absorb programs and behaviours from a very young age. Except for the ages of 8 to 11 weeks of age, give your puppy the benefit of meeting people, other dogs, and the world at large. During that 3 week period, however, puppies can be spooked very easily. And the things that spook them then can have a deep impression on their psyche.

One of the most important and basic commands a puppy or dog needs to learn is the “Come” command. This can literally save his life if he gets off the lead or runs away from you near a busy street. But it is not an easy command to teach dogs. Persistence and the right approach are important here.

Some of the top mistakes people make when teaching their puppy to “Come” are:

* Scolding him when he does finally come to you - This is a great way to teach your dog how to avoid you! Scolding him won’t make him come any quicker One of the key things to remember when training a dog is to praise him when he does respond, no matter how frustrated or annoyed you may be, or how slow he may be. Praise him, and he will associate coming to you with good things and be more compliant next time.

* Just stand there when you call “Come” - Your dog doesn’t know what this means yet, and you need to give him visual and other verbal clues as to what you mean. Try squatting down, making happy sounds whilst clapping your hands. Your dog will be eager to come to you then. Make it inviting!

* Praising only when your dog actually comes to you - You need to start praising him BEFORE he comes to you. Like the above point, it makes the dog want to come to you.

* Not practising - In daily life, there may not be much of a reason to use the “Come” command. But unless your dog starts practising it at home, he won’t know how to respond when you need him to. You need to set aside time and call him to you. You’ll need to practise it at least 12 times a day.

The tone of voice you use is important. The key is to make the process fun, and your voice should reflect this.

References: B Kilcommons and S. Wilson, Good Owners, Great Dogs

To learn more on how to train your puppy to come to you, click here. If you’d like help on choosing good dog obedience school training, click here. Rebecca runs the site http://www.thedogsbone.com

Share This