31. Familiarize yourself with your dog’s parents. If possible, try to spend time with the parents of your dog. Sometimes this is not possible, but when it is an option there is a lot to be learned. By watching the behaviors of the parents, you will be able to spot similarities and potential problems that should be addressed before they become an issue. A good example of what might be a potential problem is aggression. If you notice that your dog comes from two aggressive parents, know that there is probably a genetic predisposition to aggression and consider professional obedience training in this situation.
32. Hire a professional. Sometimes people have the best of intentions when they get a new dog, however time and other esponsibilities may make it impossible to train a new dog dequately in even the basics of good behavior. Consider a professional dog trainer in your area if you don’t have the time or experience to train your dog properly.
33. Do not leave your dog alone for long periods. When your dog is in training, it is important that he never be left alone for long periods of time. Otherwise, you will be unable to provide necessary reinforcement for good behaviors and to divert the dog’s attention for negative behaviors. This can result also in boredom or anxiety, which will definitely lead to destructive behaviors. So, if you are leaving your dog alone, place him in an appropriate sized crate in order to keep momentum with training and to protect your home while you are away.
34. Teach your dog that nothing in life is free. This interesting training program is best used after basic commands like sit, down and leave it have been learned. The goal is to stop your dog from being disobedient by reinforcing who is in charge. For example, if your dog senses that you have a treat, make him sit before you give it to him. And, if he gets excited when it’s walk time make him lie down until you put on his leash. Never give in – if your dog doesn’t do what you command, you should not give him the reward he seeks. By using this technique, you will be reinforcing the basic obedience commands and showing who is boss at the same time.
35. Find out what makes your dog tick. One of the best ways to start training your dog is to figure out what motivates him. Some dogs are more motivated by treats, while others prefer extra lap time. When you know what makes your dog happy, you can use that as motivation for good behavior and also as a reward for a successful training session. This is a commonly used practice by professional dog trainers, and although it may take some time to get a handle on what makes your dog tick, it is definitely the road to successful training. Click Here to See How the Professional Dog Trainer Do?
36. Establish pack structure early on. The sooner your dog realizes that it is you, and not him, that leads your pack – the better off you will be. Establish boundaries for your dog from the beginning by placing him into a crate during initial training and by always using a leash when outside. Let him know that you will give the commands and he will obey them. You need to establish trust between yourself and your dog so that he understands from the beginning that you will not hurt him and that he does not need to fear you.
37. Use an invisible fence. An invisible fence can be used to mark the border of your yard, or to border the area where your dog is allowed within the yard. An invisible fence is a great way to train your dog to stay on your property when he is outside, because it will deter him every time he gets near the boundary. The problem is that should your dog get out he will also be deterred from getting back in. If you do use an invisible fence, remember that other animals and people will not be able to sense the presence of the invisible fence. So be sure to clearly mark your yard to keep people from crossing the fence until you are sure that your dog will not attack anyone that he views as an invader.
38. Determine the ground rules before you begin training. One of the common hang ups that people experience with dog training is not deciding in advance which behaviors they will or will not tolerate. For example, some people will let their new puppy nap on the sofa but decide later that they don’t want dog hair on the furniture. They then need to re-train their dog that getting onto the sofa is not allowed. Make a list of the behaviors you don’t want to see, and you will have a better idea of where to begin. It is always ok to reverse a behavior, but is easier for you and your dog if you set the rules at the beginning and don’t change them in the middle of the game.
39. Train your dog to be less sensitive. Dogs can have many of the same fears as humans, and part of your training efforts should be concentrated on teaching your dog how to handle fear and anxiety. A good example is thunder. Many dogs are afraid of the loud noise for which they cannot locate a source. If you are able, purchase a CD with thunder noises and play it in the background while you are in the home with your dog. When the dog starts to get anxious, tell him NO and redirect his attention. Until you are certain that you have desensitized your dog, be sure to place your dog in a crate so that he is contained whenever there are loud noises.
40. Stick to small time intervals when training. Dogs do not have long attention spans, and they tire quickly of the same activities. Therefore, for effective training you should break up your sessions into 5-10 minute intervals throughout the day. You can work on one command for a few minutes and then play with your dog for a while. After a break for water and a quick nap, you can start again with a second command or maybe even work on leash-training. Don’t expect to train your dog in a weekend – or you will only end up frustrated with a completely confused dog!
41. Be aware of the importance of timing. Dogs are not like children. If you punish a dog just minutes after a bad behavior – chances are that they will never make a connection between the punishment and that behavior. You need to catch your dog in the act of an unacceptable behavior if you want to correct what he did wrong. 42. Define training for yourself first. If you are going to be a successful trainer for your dog, you need to know in advance what training means to you. What are your goals? Do you want a perfectly behaved show dog, or would you be satisfied if your dog learned to come when you call him? There is no definitive answer for what training means – it’s a matter of preference that only you can define. But, make the decision before you begin so that you know what your own expectations are.
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43. Know the non-verbal commands that you are giving as well as the verbal. When you are training your dog, he will pick up on more than just the commands you issue verbally. Some astute dogs will learn that a hand to the left means – go left. Others may assume that because you are grumpy when you tell them to sit, they will be the object of your wrath should they listen to you. Training is about action and reward. If you give your dog non-verbal clues and commands, it is likely that they will develop a response. Therefore, pay attention to your posture, tone of voice and attitude during training sessions.
44. Feed your dog only at scheduled times. House breaking is dependent on a schedule. It is imperative that a young dog be given food three times each day at the same time, and that the food is left available for only 10-20 minutes or so. After time is up, remove the food and take your dog outside. In between feedings may lead to accidents, and free-feeding will definitely lead to accidents. Therefore, increase your chances of successful house breaking and keep your dog healthier by feeding only at the times you have scheduled.
45. Remember that the key to a well-behaved dog is giving him plenty of exercise. If you don’t make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise, you are letting your dog down and possibly setting the stage for aggression and misbehavior due to boredom. When you give your dog a lot of exercise, he will be tired and spend time resting. If your dog is not tired, he will get bored and have to look for ways to entertain himself. Unfortunately, that could mean chewing, chasing other animals or barking and howling. 46. Maintain eye contact. Dogs cannot learn properly if they are not focused on your commands. During training sessions, make sure you have your dogs attention at all times and that you’re making eye contact. Using hand signals rather then verbal commands is a good way to ensure that your dog will be focused on you.
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