When you first meet your dog, chances are he didn’t show his true colors and may have come to you with a few “problems”. You can do just a little training, and you will see that your dog will be a better dog in no time.

When correcting your dog verbally, use sharp, short, concise commands. Avoid going on a rant about the dog’s “badness”. Just say no, then show it what to do instead. Be sure your command tone of voice gets their attention and shows that you’re serious.

Set a schedule and routine for feeding your dog from the very beginning of your relationship. Training your pet to expect when to get food will teach him a feeding schedule in which he could adhere to. Your dog will learn to finish eating before you take the dish away.

As your dog progresses, you won’t need to exert so much control. The key to a satisfying life for your dog is a balance of freedom and obedience. Don’t be too lenient all of the sudden though, as this can have a negative effect.

In dog training, use the same volume and tone of voice when you state a command. Your dog will learn to recognize your tone and know they should obey. Doing this also ensures that your dog will know the difference between your “you’re in trouble” voice and your “do as I say” voice.

Among the initial commands a dog should learn is “leave it,” which instructs the dog to drop whatever it has and step away from it. This is great if the dog chews on household furniture or other items, such as shoes, stuffed animals, or trash.

If your dog leaps on you, hold his paws and squeeze them a little so he will know this is not acceptable. This will not harm your dog if done gently, but it will be uncomfortable. Soon your dog will believe that this will happen every time he jumps up and will stop jumping up.

Primary Reinforcement

Primary reinforcement is an important part of any training program. Primary reinforcement uses something that is inherent for the dog to love as a reward for good behavior. Some common reinforcements include your dog’s favorite treat or a belly rub. This helps them to make positive associations with the desired behaviors.

Dog barking can be stopped by removing the cause. It might be a noise or simply coming into contact with other animals or people. Your dog will know the difference and will understand that there’s no reason to bark when presented these situations.

Alter your tone when speaking to your dog during your training. Giving a command or correcting a negative behavior requires an authoritative tone, while praise can be softer. You should use a firm tone of voice for your commands, a loud tone for your scoldings, and a natural, pleasant tone for your praise.

Most people are surprised how quickly their dog can learn from training and how fast they get results. So if your relationship with your pooch is feeling a bit strained, try out some of these tips.