The Basics of Dog Training

For those of you who are considering getting a dog or who have recently brought a dog into your home, it's already time to start wondering about dog training. But in order for you to effectively train and raise your dog, you're going to have to know the fundamentals before you start trying anything too fancy like tricks and behaviors. You've got to learn exactly what makes a dog tick and what helps them to get the most out of life in your home. In this article, you'll learn about the basics of dog training and how you can start implementing them - today.

First, you have to establish a clear role for your dog.

This means that you don't give them unrealistic expectations, but also don't sell them short or start to ignore them. For many people, a healthy relationship with a dog is finding that "companion" role, which is where dogs have been bred to be. This means that a dog is much more than a toy, but still not elevated to the level of any family member. Dogs might be man's best friend, but really they're better described as "man's best companion."

What does this mean? This means setting boundaries for your dog that you wouldn't expect to set for anyone else. And since a dog can't speak English, you're going to have to consistently enforce those boundaries of the dog is going to make sense of things.

Second, you'll want to enforce boundaries through reward, not punishment.

If a dog oversteps its bounds, you simply correct the behavior. For example, if a dog climbs up on a couch it doesn't belong on, you move the dog off matter-of-factly, much like you might handle a baby who doesn't know any better.

Use rewards only when a dog has produced a behavior that you want to be consistent. Remember that you can't force a dog into learning a trick, but the dog will have to learn that a certain behavior will produce desirable results. For example, feeding a dog after going for your daily walk is a great way to motivate your dog to be eager when leashing him or her up.

In case you haven't noticed, many dogs aren't responsive when their owners yell at them. But the truth is, dogs would prefer to be obedient, as they learn that the healthiest behaviors are typically behaviors that are subservient to you and your rules. You can show a dog affection, but not when the dog is walking all over you. Show affection when the dog is happy, relaxed, and living in its own boundaries. Remember, what you reward in your dog will typically be re-produced over time.

Photo Credits: agiledogs

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best friend, companion, couch, desirable results, dog tick, Dog Training, family member, matter of factly, member dogs, relationship, rewards, setting boundaries, unrealistic expectations

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Dog Training

Posted by Dog Training Pet on January 8, 2010 in Dog Training.