Pointers in Training Dogs

One of the best parts in having a pet dog is when you are able to teach your dog some tricks.  It gives a sense of fulfillment seeing your dog doing something you have taught him/her, much more the happiness knowing that your dog is also having fun while doing the tricks. It is not easy, though, teaching your dogs to perform certain things because it requires a lot of patience and time in dealing with your pet dogs.  You should take into mind that even though these are your pets, and you are so well-attached with them already, still they are animals that think and feel differently from humans.

The following are some tips on how to teach your dogs to obey your commands.  Above everything else, obedience is the most important factor that your dog should observe. If you succeed in imposing obedience to your dog, then teaching him/her some tricks will not be that difficult already. Also, if your dog is obedient and well-behaved you will not have a hard time making him/her understand to your commands.

1. Be patient. There are some dog-owners that get discourage easily if their dogs will not heed to their commands. Of course, these are dogs and their way of thinking is not that of the human beings; hence, dogs are more prone to short attention span, impulsive and unpredictable behaviors, and short memory retention. Experts in dog training said that one should be patient in introducing and teaching  patterns or routine to their dogs so that, eventually, the dogs will get familiar with the routine and, the next time around, it will not be difficult for the dogs to perform such actions because they are already familiar with it.  As the old saying goes, patience is a virtue.

2. Proper attitude. It takes proper behavior and attitude when training a dog. You should have an approachable aura so that your dog will not get the wrong signals. There are times that the master is so stern (or looks stern) that the dog will either got scared or in a defensive mode. We should take into mind that training is not just a “school thing” but a playtime as well. Your dog will also enjoy such playtime because if one is so stern, the dog gets stress-out. Despite  this friendly aura, however, you should maintain the concept of master-and-servant so that the dog will always remember that you are the boss, and that whatever is your command, he/she should follow.

3. Resources.  Raising and training a dog entail some available resources.  One has to invest for the wellness and safety of his/her dog because all efforts in the training will just be put to waste if the dog gets indisposed.  There should be proper food and diet for the dog – there is a wide array of dog food you can choose from.  It is not good to over-feed your dog because, like human beings, they have to maintain a healthy body as well. Do not forget also to provide your dog lots of drinking water. Your dog needs it, especially if you are so serious in training him/her.  It is also proper to give your dogs the needed vaccinations to prevent him/her from acquiring illnesses.  Remember, a healthy dog is more receptive to training and commands.

4. Do not pressure your dog. You should be aware that dogs also have feelings. They get hurt and sad, as well as feel pressure and pain. Do not be too harsh when it comes to training them or teaching them tricks. There are times that they will really not obey you – leave them at is and get back to them if the timing is alright already.  Although the reward-punishment concept is effective, one should take into consideration that there is a big difference between training and abusing. Dogs should not be put at harm when training, whether physically or mentally.

Dog Training: A Must?

Did you ever have a dog that has been causing you a lot of headache and extreme humiliation? Did you deliberately consider training your dog? Although it is true that the dogs are always learning but without your intervention, learning wouldn’t be possible. A few convincing reasons why it’s worth training your dog: it creates a peaceful relationship with your dog, the process of training your dog is a natural bonding experience, it opens up a wide variety of communication with your pet, it’s mentally stimulating for the dog and at the same time, a sense of belongingness can be established, it helps improve a dog’s behavior, and it is one of the best and most rewarding experiences between you and your canine friend.

If there is a mother-child bond, dogs-human attachment also exists. However,, in reality, unlike humans, canines have their own brainpower. Dogs communicate very differently to us humans. Instincts tell them they need rules to follow thus, a need for training.

Basically, dog training is as easy to begin as chewing a gum. You only need to have a leash and a collar plus treats to serve as rewards for every completed task. Make sure to secure a collar that will not put too much trauma on your dog’s neck. Punishment can be a good thing as well, only when not used excessively or violently. Obedience training is one of the most common forms of training, and perhaps the most satisfying. While the collar and leash are on, a good exercise before starting the training is teaching your dogs how to pay attention. Increase your dog’s concentration and his ability to handle distractions. Try to introduce new surroundings to your dog while training like taking him for a walk where other dogs can be found. Besides, it helps your dog to release physical energy and be mentally stable. Never walk a dog in front of you because instinct tells a dog that the leader goes first. Just walk a dog either beside you or behind you. Always remember that if the dog is having a lot of fun, it is more likely that he will learn the commands sooner than you think.

A well-mannered dog should at least know five basic commands: heel, sit, down, stay and come. Usually, the very first command to teach your dog is the heel command. The sit command is one of the simplest commands you can teach your dog while stay command is probably one of the most aggravating of the basic commands. Teaching your dog to lie down is easy and fun. The most essential basic command your dog should learn is to come when called.

Surely, we can make-believe that we could  transform a dog into having human characteristics and totally domesticate them out of the training we taught but let us not forget that we can never get rid of the natural animal instincts in them. If you want to have a “happily ever after” co-existence with man’s best friend, understanding and satisfying them is of utmost importance. It requires time, patience and commitment if you are really determined to finally train your dog.