First Steps in Dog Training
If you are reading this article, you are either living with, or thinking of living with, an unruly dog or puppy.
You can't properly live with a dog unless you give it some basic training. An untrained dog is a recipe for disaster. And you can't blame the dog for its bad behavior! If you come home, and your dog about knocks you over in its exuberance to greet you, that's nobody's fault but your own. If you haven't taught him to sit and stay, too bad for you!
Lucky for you, dogs are not that difficult to train. So with a few basic lessons from you, your dog should be listening to you in no time!
Before you can get into teaching your dog the five basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, heel, down and come, you need to show your dog what actions are acceptable, and what actions are not.
You achieve this by constantly reinforcing good behavior by praise and correcting bad behavior in a mild and nonviolent way.
For example, if after throwing a tennis ball, your dog happens to return it to you without you having to chase him around and prying it from his mouth, this is good behavior, and should be rewarded accordingly.
Most dogs need nothing more than a simple "Good Dog!" offered in your most supportive, warm voice. Others might appreciate a pat on the head, or maybe a little treat. But start off with n ice, simple vocal praise.
However, if you throw the tennis ball, and your dog thinks it's funny to watch your chase him around the yard trying to retrieve the ball from him, a simple "No!" in a loud, firm tone will work. Don't sound angry, panicky, or annoyed, this will only baffle the dog.
When your dog finally drops the tennis ball at your feet, praise him to let him know you approve of this behavior. Quickly, your dog will learn he will be corrected for doing something wrong, and praised for doing something right.
So in short, correct when wrong, praise when right.
If your dog does something wrong, like getting in the trash while you are at work and stringing garbage all though your kitchen, you can't correct him AFTER THE FACT! You can only correct a dog if you catch him in the act of doing wrong. A dog will forget the "bad" event just a few minutes after the event has happened. So scolding him at 5:30 p.m. for something he did at 8:30 a.m. will do no good (if the trash thing has ever happened to you, I suggest putting your trash inside cabinets, under sinks, and out of site!). Don't hold a grudge against your dog, it's destructive.
Don't ever hit, or threaten to hit your dog. This means with your hand, a stick, a rolled up newspaper, or anything else. This will only result in a dog who is afraid of all human hands.
So what have we learned again? If your dog does something right, praise him. If he does something wrong, and you catch him in the act, correct him and then praise him when he stops the bad behavior.
If you are looking for more information on dog training, go to our labrador dog article directory. The site is dedicated to Labrador Retrievers, but can be utilized for any dog breed.
Article written by Cherie Stirewalt.
dog training dogs training train dog
Related Articles:
Dog Training - Train a Dog to Fetch
The fetch game is probably the most popular and most used dog activity for rewarding your dog and giving him exercise at the same time. Giving your dog regular exercise is essential in keeping your dogs health up to scratch and helping them live a more exciting happy life.
Positive Dog Training With Dog Training Treats
If you want a well behaved dog that is used to obey commands and listens to you in all kind of situations you need to train your dog and if it is possible you should start training when he or she is still a puppy A well trained dog is of immense importance to both you as the dog
How Valuable Is Dog Agility Training For Your Dog
Having an active dog is quite stressful Even though your dog have undergone a good obedience training, it is much better to dog in to something and train them further to make your dog really intellectual so to speak
Dog Aggressive Training: Understand & Eliminate Your Dogs Aggressive Behavior
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of canine communication similar to human frustration or anger. Like human, aggressive behavior occurs in every dog.
Dog Training - How To Communicate With An Elderly Dog
As dogs grow older, their senses become less sharp and this can lead to communication difficulties developing.Other problems, such as a breakdown in toilet training, can also arise, and while the effects of aging cannot be cured, regular veterinary check-ups should help to combat them for a period.
Dog Training: What Is Dog Training?
The term ?dog training? can mean many different things ? this is an important fact to remember when deciding what exactly you need to do with your dog. First, there is "behavior training?.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Dogs - Dog Training
Dog's illnesses and conditions seem to come up over and over again in dog forums and generally pop up al over the internet on a regular basis, and irritable bowel syndrome has to be one of the most common conditions there is.
Lucky Dog Ranch Offers Cage-Free Boarding and Los Angles Base Dog Training
Dogs are shuttled to Lucky Dog Ranch, spend all day with other dogs the same size in a safe and stimulating environment, and then they're shuttled home.
Dog Training Tips: Protecting Your Dogs While Traveling by Car
Dogs need to learn the proper behavior for traveling in a car. After all, not only do you want your dog to enjoy his ride, but also, you want to make sure that he is safe. Additionally, you want your dog to learn the proper behavior for riding in a car so that he will not become a distraction and a danger to the other passengers in the car.
Dog Training Techniques: How Dog Training Has Progressed Over the Last Few Decades
When a dog owner looks down at their brand new, small and tender puppy quietly sleeping in its little bed, it's difficult to think that in just two to three months it may grow to be 40, 50, or even up to 100 pounds depending on the type of breed Although your dogýs behavior may cute at first, like jumping up and putting his front paws on your body, these actions will be far less pleasurable when your dog is all grown up and literally knocking you over