If you are completely lost on where to begin training your dog, you need not worry for you have already taken the first and most important step, which is looking for information or you would not be reading this. This article will provide you with that information and help you learn how to train your dog.

You need to communicate with your dog. Make sure that commands are easy to understand and given consistently. This especially applies to your verbal and nonverbal interactions, but the rewards you give and the corrections you make should be consistent, too. You should pay the same attention to your dog’s signals that your pet pays to yours. If the dog is feeling happy and playful, or stressed and overworked, he will communicate this to you in his own way.

Dogs have a short attention span and you will have to attract his attention. Your dog can learn to focus less and less, except for your commands, by using repetition.

Understanding what motivates your pet will give you a leg up in your training. While your dog is learning what you are teaching him, you are learning what methods your dog responds to the best. Give your dog plenty of positive reinforcement for performing a variety of exercises, no matter what your reason for training him. Dogs are much easier to train when they are happy.

One thing you should know before training your dog is what treats your dog likes the best. If you know which treats really get your pet excited, you will find that he or she is willing to work harder. When you are offering the dog its reward, take notice of what response you receive.

Training your dog takes time and patience: if you cannot commit, do not start a training session. Your patience is vital to helping the dog understand and accomplish his training goals, work through distractions or other behavioral issues and learn self-discipline.

Challenge your dog on a regular basis. Get him to repeat tricks you haven’t practiced in a while, to keep him sharp.

You can’t stop your dog from being a dog, so make sure to give him proper ways to act like a dog. It is important to provide dogs with the right type of food, space in which to exercise and a wide array of exciting pastimes.

You do not want to use wee-wee pads when potty training your dog. The pads eventually leak; leaked waste marks certain areas in the house as “potty areas”. Dogs also believe that anything shaped like a pad is acceptable to use as a potty. It is best to have your dog use the bathroom outdoors all the time.

Fear biting has caused the majority of dog bites. When a dog feel threatened, scared or trapped, it may bite. While training your dog, you should avoid the use of excessive force. The dog’s natural instincts will be to fight back. A puppy is expecting you to be the leader of his pack and is anxious to please you.

Prepare your dog in having veterinary examinations. Use a gentle pass of your hand along their body to let them know that they are being praised when they act correctly. Help him to tolerate the vet handling his paws and mouth. Consider asking your friends for help, as well.

Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train your dog. Always reward your dog when they successfully respond to a command. Negative training techniques and punishment will only serve to garner fear, and a dog who is afraid is not one who is willing to please.

Before you begin training your dog, you need to establish yourself as the alpha. He needs to know that you are the authority before he will let you train him. Demonstrate your position of authority to your dog by leading the way whenever the two of you are walking.

Now that you have been provided with this useful information, you are on your way to having a well behaved dog. Making sure you have good information is a great way to start training your dog