Dog Training Advice - have patience, be consistent » Dog Facts, Dog Information, Dog Breeds

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Dog Training Advice - have patience, be consistent

Friday, September 28th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

If you’re a new dog owner, there are so many theories on training your dog that it’s hard to know which to follow. Remember that your dog is an individual, and advice that works well in theory may be hard to put into practice with your pet.

Do you use a rolled up newspaper or a treat to housebreak your dog? Is crate training really the way to go?

Relax. With a few basic guidelines, lots of patience, and a little time with your new pup to determine what will work best for him, you will be on the road to effective puppy training in no time at all.

Be kind and be positive

The first thing to keep in mind when you begin weeding through dog training advice is to keep it positive. Any instruction that advocates intimidating your pet or disciplining him through painful means will not be effective.

A better approach is positive reinforcement with your pet that will offer rewards for the correct behavior rather than punishment for disobedience. Positive reinforcement can come in the form of praise, treats, or playtime with you, or a combination of the three.

As you offer your positive reinforcement, keep in mind that lavishing praise on your pet over and over is unnecessary during training session, and may serve to distract your dog from the task at hand. A good piece of dog training advice is to keep your praise short and sweet, and limit treats to a single biscuit. This will keep your dog motivated and focused during training sessions.

The most important factor that you can bring to your training sessions with your puppy is patience.

Keep in mind that your dog will be anxious to please you, and will catch on to your instruction much more quickly if you offer commands in a firm, friendly tone, and keep your temperament cool and controlled throughout.

Set aside about fifteen minutes each day to work with your young dog, and try to keep all distractions at bay during this time. Remember that your training times should be a fun experience for you and your pet, and a chance for the two of you to bond and get to know one another better. The benefits that you will reap from following this dog training advice will be very satisfying and long-lasting indeed. Dogs make a wonderful addition to the family, once they are properly trained. Follow good dog training advice to make this member of your family a welcome addition.