Beginner Guide To Dog Training

Do you want to train your dog but you don't know where to start? The following article helps first-time trainers with dog training tips and problems.

Beginner Guide To Dog Training
provided by:http://www.problem-dog.com courtesy of http://www.i-love-dogs.com
Training your dogs to behave well in all situations is not as difficult as you may think.  When a dog behaves well they should be rewarded.  When a dog misbehaves they need to be corrected and shown the proper way to behave.  A dog will soon learn that some behaviors get them rewarded while other behaviors result in them being reprimanded. 
 Rewarding your dog for good behavior does not need to be complex.  A simple reward can go a long way in encouraging your dog to be obedient.  You can reward your dog for good behavior by petting him lovingly and saying, "good job boy!"  A dog treat also provides a good reward to serve as an incentive for good behavior. 
Another reward technique that can be used is "clicker training."  In this training you will begin by rewarding your dog with a tasty treat.  Find a toy that will make a clicking sound.  Each time the dog receives a reward for good behavior, make the clicking noise.  In time your dog will associate the clicking sound with that of receiving a treat.  Because eating a snack makes your dog happy he will soon associate the clicking sound with that happy feeling and you will no longer need to use food as a reward, thus keeping your dog at a healthy, happy weight. 
Punishing your dog will probably not always be easy.  You may feel bad when you have to punish your pet for poor behavior.  Punishments should never be too hard or too excessive.  Some dog trainers recommend the use of pinch collars.  This can be use to give the dog a quick pinch without causing the dog any harm.  People often do not want to use this form of punishment for their dogs.  You can try just giving your dogs a scolding when they have done something wrong.  Let them know with words and the tone of your voice that they are not behaving as well as they should. 
When using a reward and punishment system to train your dog you must be consistent.  To only reward him occasionally will not help him to learn when he has accomplished a job well done.  On the other hand, only punishing sporadically when he is not obeying will also not show him when he is doing something wrong.  Let us look at a quick example.
Perhaps you have a dog that just does not listen to you when you tell him/her to stay.  You need to teach your dog to listen to you for his or her own safety.  Therefore, whenever you tell your dog to stay and he does not listen, you will need to punish him.  Each time you tell him to stay and he does so, you will reward him.  If you punish your dog sometimes when he does not stay, but not all the time, he will become confused.  The dog might have trouble really understanding when he is wrong and when he is not.  Therefore, it is essential that during the training process each time he listens to your command you reward him and each time your dog disobeys you punish him.
When training your dog to obey you, you must also try to avoid having delayed reactions.  When your dog misbehaves, reprimand him right away so that he knows what he did wrong and when.  If your dog obeys your command, reward him right way so that he can easily make the connection as to what he has done right. 
You may be asking yourself why a rewards system alone will not be enough to effectively train your dog.  Occasionally this process might work.  However, if you have a dog that is set in their ways and has bad habits, positive reinforcement alone might not be enough.  The fact is that without being punished in some way for their poor behavior they are not likely to learn that their bad behavior is not acceptable. 
As a pet owner, it is always important to remember that you are the on in charge.  Do not let your dog take command.  You show them what is acceptable behavior not the other way around.  Pets are typically beloved members of a family and a trusted friend and companion.  Even so they have to be able to follow some rules.  Animals need to be taught what is and is not acceptable behavior. They also need to learn in what situations certain behaviors are and are not appropriate. 
Your dog should also obey your commands for their own safety.  Typically, you will know what is best for your pet.  If they are in a dangerous situation you can protect them.  However, you will only be able to do so if they obey you.  For example, if your dog is about to dash across the street chasing after a ball, they must listen to your command to stay.  Otherwise, they risk getting hurt and this is not something you want to see happen.
Before you begin to train your dogs, make certain you have the proper "tools" on hand.  You may need a collar for your dog.  The pinch collar is probably the safest to use, as it really does not have the possibility of causing any harm to your dog.  Remember, though you can opt for other methods of discipline other than a collar if you are not comfortable using one on your dog. 
 Another tool you may want to use is a clicker.  You can find toys that make clicking noises.  Whenever your reward the dog you will also make the clicking sound.  The dog will start to recognize that the clicking sound signals their reward.  This makes the dog feel good.  In time they will associate the clicking sound alone with a good feeling and it will not be necessary to continue providing the reward or treat as well. 
When training a dog, you will also want to have some treats on hand.  These treats can be used as rewards for their good behavior.  When a dog obeys a command they can be rewarded with one of the treats.  You will not need to do this permanently obviously but you will need to provide rewards consistently during the training process. 
Chew toys are also another tool you may want to have on hand.  This can be especially useful for puppies.  The toy provides your dog with something to check on.  If a puppy has a favorite chew toy they are more likely to check on that than your socks for example. 
Training your dog is important for both you and your dog.  You can train your dog to behave appropriately in all situations.  Your dog is a member of the family and you do not want to have to leave them behind on family outings or keep them cooped up in one area of the house when you have company.  You can train your dog to be obedient so that they can take part in just about any setting.
By training your dog you also are working to protect them.  Your commands will often be for the safety and best interests of your dog.  It is important that the dog realize that you are in charge.  It is not that you want to overpower your pet but simply that you want to protect your pet and help them to be as well behaved as possible.

Author: pdcom

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