15 Aug Dog Training Tips for Beginners
As a new dog owner, you probably have an endless list of things to learn about your pet. What kind of food does he need? Which toys are the best for him? How often should you take him for a walk? The list goes on and on!
But perhaps one of the most challenging tasks as a new dog parent is training your pet to become a well-mannered member of your family. After all, living with a wild and unruly animal is not easy!
Luckily, you can use many effective ways to train your dog, making life easier for him and yourself. Read on for some efficient dog training tips for beginners.
Prevent Jumping
This is a crucial aspect of dog training. Jumpy dogs are a pain to be around; they often hurt themselves and others around them. When your dog jumps, remain calm, don’t react, and gently push him away.
If the pup jumps because he’s excited, use a calm voice and tell him to “sit.” Praise him and give him a treat as he starts to calm down. If he’s jumping to be social, place your hand on his paws and gently push him down instead of pushing him away.
You’ll need to be much firmer if he’s jumping because he wants to assert dominance. Instead of pushing him away, grab his paws and place them on the ground. Use a firm voice and tell him to “sit.” If he tries to jump again, repeat the same process.
Use Positive and Negative Reinforcements
Training your dog is much easier when you use reinforcements and treats to encourage good behaviour. This kind of training is called operant conditioning, which uses positive and negative stimuli to shape your dog’s behaviour.
Let’s say you’re trying to train your dog to sit. You want the furry fellow to sit down and stay in that position while you place a treat in front of him. He’ll probably try to reach for the treat when he notices it. At that point, you can tell him to sit back down in the position. As soon as he sits, praise him and give him the treat. This way, you’re rewarding him for doing the right thing.
On the other hand, let’s say you want your dog to stop barking. You can tell them to stop barking in a firm voice. You also have to punish him for doing so; close his door or put him in another room, for example. Your dog will learn that he’s being punished for barking and will stop doing it.
Positive Socialization
From a very young age, you should get your dog used to being around other people and animals. This will help prevent any aggressive or territorial behaviour in the future. If you have a puppy, visit as many places as possible with him, including pet stores, cafes, and parks. This way, your dog will learn that he has to behave in all kinds of environments, which will make it easier to train him as he gets older.
In doing so, always keep your dog on a leash. If your dog is indoors, keep them on a short leash. This will help prevent from startling other people and animals. Always keep him close to you and under your control. Make sure to greet other animals and people with a friendly voice.
Teach Your Pup to Follow Basic Commands
One of the most basic yet effective ways to train your dog is by teaching him some essential commands. This will help him in many situations and different aspects of daily life.
Start with the basics: sit, stay, lie, and come. Meeting these rules is the best way to start training your dog. Start with a simple “sit” and follow with treats, praise, and attention. When your dog masters this command, move on to the next one, and so on until he learns all of them.
For example, if your dog loves to greet people by jumping, teaching him to sit instead will make things much easier for people visiting your home or seeing you on the street with your dog.
Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash
Another easy way to train your dog is by teaching him how to walk on a leash properly. First, you’ll have to choose a suitable type of leash, such as one made of nylon. And as he gets used to the leash, gently pull on it and start offering him treats. This will help him get used to the feeling of a leash around his neck.
Next, take your dog around the house on the leash, giving him praise and treats every so often. Once he gets used to walking on a leash indoors, you can start taking him for walks outside. Be patient with your dog, and don’t be surprised if he’s hesitant at first.
Discourage Biting and Nipping
Let’s be honest: not all dogs are great with their teeth. Many dogs like to nibble and bite. When your dog displays such behaviour, you’ll want to use a firm voice to tell them to stop while placing your hand on their mouth. If they try to bite you again, repeat the same process. Dogs stop the habit once learning that biting and nipping are unacceptable.
Dogs also tend to become aggressive and bite when they don’t feel well. Make sure to have your furry friend examined at a vet clinic in such a case. And if you live in Ontario, you may want to bring your canine to our veterinary clinic in Dundas for a check-up.
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