Monday, June 25, 2012

Useful Hints For Coaching A Well-Behaved Canine

By Bill James


Having the perfect and obedient pooch doesn't happen overnight. You must engage in teaching your dog everything he/she must know, just like a real child. Don't crack under the pressure; instead read some of the dog-training tips below for some insightful ideas. You may not end up using all of the ideas, but they can help point you in the right direction.

Never punish a dog for a house-training accident unless you actually witness it happening. Nobody likes coming home to a smelly surprise, but one of the biggest mistakes you can make when house training a dog is punishing or scolding a dog for an earlier mistake. Dogs do not have a good concept of cause and effect, so scolding a dog for a mess will only serve to make them fear the actual mess or you, and not the act of making the mess. They do not understand why they are being punished and in some cases it can cause the dog to start eating their waste, because they know its presence makes you angry. If you catch them in the act, simply firmly tell them "no" and immediately take them outside.

If your dogs are big and tough and young and go through beds as if they grow on trees, look for low cost alternatives. Use your imagination to come up with sofa cushions, comforters from the thrift store or garage sales, cast off pillows and other things that you don't mind having destroyed. Your dog will probably outgrow his bed destroying phase, and it's not worth it to get upset about it and spend a fortune on dog beds!

Do not push your dog to eat things he does not love thinking it will train him to enjoy the food over time. The treat or dog food bag may say that all dogs love the food the bag contains, but the truth is that dogs are very selective about their food. Experimenting to find food and treats that your dog loves goes a long way toward your dog's overall happiness.

If you are looking for a positive way to train your dog, try clicker training. In clicker training you teach your dog to associate treats and good behavior with the sound of a click. This training method is much more clear to dogs than methods that use both rewards and punishments.

To introduce a new animal into a home that already has dogs, you should give that animal their own territory. This could mean initially giving the new cat or dog their own room or taking your old dogs out of the house before bringing the new dog in. Because dogs are very territorial, this tactic gives your new dog more leverage and makes your older dogs more reluctant to get aggressive.

Make sure you dog proof your home to reduce chewing or destructive behavior while you are away. Young dogs or bored dogs may chew when left alone just to have something to do. Take the time to close interior doors and put away items dogs like to chew before you leave to limit the opportunities for chewing while you are gone.

Your dog will not be trained overnight, but you can read some valuable advice overnight. Admitting that you need help is always the first step, and reading about the subject matter increases your insight into dog-training methods. The above advice is tried and true; so take a friendly approach to dog training and do it yourself.




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