When you brought home your dog you were expecting Lassie, but sometimes it feels like you brought Cujo home instead. There is good news – you can train your dog so they are better behaved in a short time.

Crates need to be treated as the dog’s second home. At meal times always put their bowl of food inside the crate leaving the door open the whole time while they are eating. This way, your dog will associate positive things with being inside the crate.

Crate training requires extreme consistency. Whenever you let your puppy out of the crate, he must be given the immediate chance to go potty. With time, your puppy will wait for the right tine to relieve himself.

Choose the right dog crate size if you wish to utilize the crate effectively to train him. Keep in mind that they get larger as they age. Get a crate that is the right size for your dog when it gets older. Don’t restrict the size so much so that the dog cannot lie or turn easily.

Think of a word you can use as a command during training. A positive word will give your dog time to obey.

When you meet an unfamiliar dog, you should go up to him slowly and allow him to sniff your hand. This lets them warm up to the scent and they’ll most likely trust you. Once a dog recognizes your particular scent, he will be unafraid and willing to obey.

Primary reinforcement is critical to training your dog. This means you should reward it for good behavior. Use things such as treats or petting your dog to reinforce good behavior. This teaches your dog something that they desire.

As you train your dog, be certain to gain his attention the same way every time. Always start your commands with his name. This gets his attention, then you can follow through with the command. Dogs commonly respond quickly when their names are called, and they realize that you want their attention.

Avoiding accidents entirely is the best way to toilet train a dog. You need to know what they act like if they have to use the bathroom. Constant whining, sniffing, and pacing around the house are all very common signs. When this happens, take action immediately. Quickly leash your pet and lead him to an area where he can relieve himself. Good toilet behavior is worthy of praise. Eventually, he will learn to ask to go out.

Working on your dog’s recall is essential. Your dog needs to learn to return to you when he is called, under any circumstances. Teach your dog to come, even when there are distractions. Recall could save your pet’s life, so be sure not to skip this type of training although it may be challenging and time-consuming.

If your dog has problems with destructive chewing, he may be suffering from anxiety or boredom. In order to keep your dog as safe as possible while you are away, he should be kept in a dog crate. Giving him a chew toy while in the crate is also a good idea to keep him busy.

If dog agility classes are the ultimate goal of your training, then you should choose a breed that is suited for it. Competitive agility dog breeds include Shetland sheepdogs, Labrador retrievers, border collies and Australian shepherds.

When your dog is six months old, get them neutered or spayed. After the dog is neutered or spayed, you should begin obedience classes with your dog. Dogs that have been fixed are more obedient and have an easier time with training. Doing this will allow you to have more years with your pet, and it will give your dog a healthier, happier life.

People are often amazed about how easy it can be to train your dog and how quick they see changes. If you are having behavior problems with your dog, read on for some solutions.