10 Ways to Train Your Dog

There are many different approaches to training a dog, and all of them differ in their methods and acts. However, there are a few things that all methods have in common. These next ten dog training tips are very useful and can be helpful in any dog training program you may choose to implement with your best friend.

1. Dominance is Key You have probably heard the term, “Alpha-Dog”. Dogs are pack animals that co-exist together within a “pack”, or group. Within all packs, there is an alpha-dog who is deemed to be the head of the pack. Any other dogs in the pack will show submission to the alpha-dog and follow his example. You are the alpha-dog of your dog’s pack, in this scenario, and you must make yourself known as this. If you don’t establish yourself as the pack leader, your dog may start to walk all over you. Enforcing your authority and allowing your dog to see that you are the leader will make a big difference in training him more successfully.

2. Patience is important. It is most important to stay patient while trying to train a dog. Most likely, your dog will not pick up on the manners or tricks you would like them to acquire overnight. Even if you feel that your dog might be hopeless, you need to find your patience and keep working on it.

3. Keep working at it. No matter how hard it may seem, keep pushing the training. It is true that some dogs can learn very quickly. Weeks may pass for other dogs. There are some circumstances in which your dog may seem to have things figured out, but several days into the future, they could begin acting up once more. You have to work persistently with training your dog to make sure that the behavior stays with him.

4. Play with your pet. Never allow training to take over your life. You need to play with your pet, and you pet needs to play with you. Take time out of your day to play with your dog, and you will find training to be a lot simpler.

5. A dog must exercise. Training will not necessarily amount to substantial exercise. Exercising your dog not only aids in the elimination of extra energy, but it additionally regulates their health to keep your dog at their best condition.

6. Don’t expect miracles. You shouldn’t expect things out of your dog that are impossible. Dogs have more difficulty with some tricks. Keep things in perspective when it comes to teaching your dog different things; training will not only be easier, but your dog will also feel a lot happier.

7. Don’t resort to bribery. Using treats to train your dog may seem like a good idea, but it may not be. All this does is teach your dog to complete a task for a prize, as opposed to doing it because you wanted them to. You can still give them a treat and a healthy dose of praise if they do something right, but if you offer them treats too often, they will come to expect it.

8. Keep things consistent. You will need a regular routine for your training. It is a well known fact that dogs thrive with routines and require a program. Sticking to a schedule will help your training stick and make everyone involved happier.

9. Punish your dog kindly. Discipline is imperative in a training regimen. However, discipline is to be stern, not cruel. Using a firm voice will work a lot better than just yelling at your dog.

10. Exercise family training. Your whole family needs to be involved in the training for it to stick properly. Things will be much easier if every member of your house employs the same techniques of training.