Dog Training Tips
Dog training tips
Conventional Method
Introduction
Dog training is the most important aspect of pet ownership. After all, it isn’t enough to just zero in on a suitable breed and give it all the love you can. Like children, dogs also need to be steered in the right direction so that they can grow up to be good canine citizens and well-behaved, sociable, and friendly animals. However, ‘old school’ dog training methods like intimidation, hitting, and other forms of aggression are a strict no-no. Not only are these techniques inhumane and cruel, but they also boomerang and end up molding a dog that is aggressive, distrustful, and eventually, unloved.
How dogs communicate
You may have come across the very popular term ‘dog whisperer’. A dog whisperer is a person who has an acute understanding of dog psychology and natural canine instincts and is able to indulge in a two-way communication with dogs irrespective of the verbal/non-verbal barrier.
Too many people issue commands or try talking their dogs into good behavior without considering what their pets actually feel or try to communicate. Dogs use scent, body language, facial expressions, energy, voice, posture, and other means to pick up signals and relay messages to those around them. It is imperative to ‘deconstruct’ this mode of communication and shape our communication techniques in accordance with theirs so that we can form lasting, deep connections with our pooches.
Puppy socialization
Socializing your little canine bundle of joy with the people around it and its surroundings is the first and most important stage of dog training, since this phase determines what kind of adult dog the pup will grow up to be. You need to introduce, expose, and desensitize the dog to various smells, tastes, sights, sounds, and surfaces and get it acquainted with several situations. It is a must to introduce your puppy to as many people as you can before it is 12 weeks of age.
Puppy training also consists of crate training and dog house training. Positive reinforcement by way of constant encouragement and giving treats can go a long way in boosting the confidence of your dog and train it well enough. House training isn’t easy since dogs are creatures of habit, so you must exercise patience and not fly off the handle if you puppy slips up every now and then. Segregate its ‘living’ area from the ‘doggy toilet’ area and choose one spot for it to relieve itself. Cue words and displays of affection after it relieves itself in the right spot will help the puppy get acquainted with the right ‘toilet habits’.
General dog training tips
Training also includes dog aggression training, off leash training, dog behavior training, and teaching the dog some tricks, to name a few. If you are not familiar with these stages of training, you can rely on well-reputed dog training DVDs, dog obedience classes, dog training videos, or choose the dog trainer who is an expert in his/her field. If you choose the last option, make it a point to pick up training tips from him/her through close observation and hands-on experience.
The most important tip is to be the ‘pack leader’ in your household and double as a good role model for your pet. Also ensure that you set realistic goals; do not teach your dog more than one thing at a time as this will only confuse the animal. Maintain a strict schedule for feeding, training, sleeping, and playing so that your dog gets accustomed to an orderly way of life. While using positive reinforcement, know when to praise your dog or be stern with it. For example, don’t lavish it with affection if it defecates in a ‘wrong area’ or barks aggressively, but at the same time, don’t ‘punish’ it to put your point across. Just ignore it when it does something wrong. Use a bevy of treats to reward good behavior to maintain your canine’s interest in training.
Jessie from Next Level Canine’s note:
In Closing
Inhumane and cruel techniques are frowned upon by next level canine and “The Talking Dog Method”. My tip is to use enticing treats, Such as hotdogs, ham, cheese, leftover chicken, turkey kielbasa and steak. “The Talking Dog Method” encourages the use of high end treats.
Jessie Suarez, the creator of " Talking Dogs DVD Training Series"
