If you’re a beginner at training a dog, you’re more than likely wanting some advice on what will work to get your dog to behave. Ahead are some of the suggestions and advice you will need to meet your goals in dog training.

Food can’t be the only factor in your dog listening. Food is a necessity that dogs must have in order to survive, so they need other sources of rewards. Besides just food, praise and affection should be given to the dog.

Some dogs get scared of thunderstorms and they think that they are in danger. If you have a dog with a thunder phobia, seek advice from the veterinarian. Your vet might be able to prescribe a sedative for your dog to take during thunderstorms. Many people use this option as a last resort, but it is useful in treating the problem.

Leash training starts with putting a collar on your puppy while you play. It is important that your pup gets used to wearing the collar so that it can use a leash correctly and so that it has proper ID tags in case it gets lost.

To ensure success, you must ensure that the crate you are using is appropriate for the size and breed of your pet. Keep in mind that puppies grow up. Choose a crate that is sure to fit them suitably when they hit adult size. At full size your dog should be able to move around without feeling too constricted.

Older Dog

Though you actually can teach older dogs some new things, it is important to take note of medical problems or other conditions that could reduce an older dog’s readiness to perform certain tasks. For instance, if your dog is experiencing arthritis, making it crawl long distances is not very practical. Training is good for keeping a dog’s brain active, which is helpful to old dogs. Ensure you aren’t causing your dog any pain when training an older dog.

When approaching a strange or unfamiliar dog, approach slowly, while allowing the dog to sniff the back side of your hand. The dog will become familiar with your smell and recognize the scent in the future. Once a dog is used to your scent, it will trust you and obey your orders.

Avoid saying ‘no’ during puppy training. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. Telling them “no” does not help them know how to react to you. Each dog has their own quirks.

Dog training requires a commitment of time and energy to be successful. Repetition is key, which takes a lot of time and effort. Simply being with your dog each day lends a sense of trust and consistency to your dog’s perspective of you. This will help him start to see you as a leader.

Training Sessions

Never allow your training sessions to run on for too long. The attention spans of dogs can be limited, and therefore it is necessary to keep training segments brief so that the animals do not grow bored and disinterested. If you do have long training sessions, break it up so your dog can rest a little bit.

Only train your pet with positive reinforcement methods. Use positive language to reward the dog, as well as petting and small treats on occasion. Don’t shout at a dog or hit them. These tactics backfire and just make your dog believe you are incompetent. Maintain a calm attitude anytime that your dog does wrong so that you can have a relationship o mutual respect with your dog.

As you’ve read, canine training may be a great way to get your dog to learn new tricks and behave better. After you’ve used these tips, you’ll become an expert on canine training.