Basic Training Methods for Your Dog

All pet owners realize that their dogs need to be trained when they take them home, but lots of people are unsure of how to train their dogs properly. Often they put off the training process till the dog is ready to have training classes. However, the simple training of a puppy shouldn't be left out of the young animal’s life.

Teaching your dog simple commands is something that can be done quickly at home, taking less than one week in most situations. Teaching your dog to sit is the first command that should be instilled in your dog. At the mere age of three months, the majority of puppies, specifically the Labrador and poodle breeds, are able to be taught advanced commands. Be gentle to your dog yet persistent, giving the animal lots of breaks and regularly giving him forms of exercise between training. Your dog will want you to be pleased with his behavior and the relationship you are building with your dog will only increase the animal’s need to fulfill your commands.

A linear approach to training your dog new commands is the best way to teach your dog. This approach is often overlooked as the owner wishes to teach his or her dog too many things at once. This will only cause the dog confusion, and he will most likely learn less quickly.

As mentioned earlier, you should teach your dog the command "sit" first. Softly hold your dog’s collar and, moving towards the animal’s level, gently push its hind quarters towards the floor while uttering in a calm manner the word "sit". Remember to only use one word while giving the command so that no confusion arises in your dog’s mind.

Teaching your dog commands should be a process that's carried out regularly each day. Short quarter-hour intervals of training throughout the day will work wonders on the dog, and after a couple of days, the animal should understand what you’re asking it; after a week or two, your dog will actually perform the action upon your request.

Give your dog rewards for performing the commands you ask it to. Your dog will do what you tell it to far more readily if you back up the commands with praise and rewards. Signaling with your hand as you tell your dog a command is also a good idea, which can teach your dog to perform the action from hand signaling as well as from your voice.Sometimes using the hand signal without the use of voice will allow your dog to respond to either form of command.

After you’ve successfully instilled the "sit" command in your dog, next you can move on to other commands such as the "stay" command. This command might be more challenging than the last specifically if your dog is still a puppy. You can form a sort of loop in your system of commands by making your dog go from sitting to coming to heeling to staying. Once you’ve trained your dog sufficiently in these areas of command, the animal will be ready to commence active training through training agencies that can train the dog to perform more complex commands. As long as you have good patience and keep persistent, you can train your dog all the basic commands, and he will become much better behaved because of the training.

Article written by Amy Jackson of www.ohmydogsupplies.com, look for new specials on dog pajamas online.

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