| Dogs are considered man's best friend. Throughout | | | | Dog training tip #4: Communicating with your dog |
| the ages and of all animals, dogs have been man's | | | | When training your dog to follow a certain command |
| companion. More than companions, dogs serve a | | | | or do a certain thing, it's vital that you not just issue |
| variety of functions. There are working dogs (e.g., | | | | the command out. It's also important that you direct |
| police dogs) and dogs that are used as guides for the | | | | your dog how to perform a command or drill as well |
| disabled. Farmers and livestock owners use dogs for | | | | as correct your dog if he doesn't follow the |
| herding, and some home owners get dogs specifically | | | | command properly. Be consistent when you are |
| to guard their property. | | | | issuing out commands and trying to teach your dog |
| Whatever the primary purpose of a particular breed | | | | to develop certain behaviors. For instance, if you are |
| of dog is, it's important that it receive proper training. | | | | trying to teach your dog not to chew on slippers or |
| Many dog training professionals will attest to the | | | | shoes, do not praise him one day when you see him |
| importance of having a well-trained dog. You don't | | | | chewing on a slipper. |
| have to be a professional dog trainer to train your | | | | Dog training tip #5: Proper timing in training your dog |
| dog. You can do simple activities to teach your pet | | | | It's always best—and professional dog trainers will |
| how to behave. | | | | recommend this—to train your dog when it is still |
| Dog training tip #1: Curbing your dog's digging | | | | a puppy. When it comes to training dogs, it is indeed |
| behavior | | | | true that old dogs can't learn new tricks. So start |
| As a dog owner, you need to understand that dogs | | | | training your dog early. |
| are social animals. When they are lonely or alone, | | | | Dog training tip #6: Let your dog know you're the |
| dogs resort to digging. Loneliness isn't the only reason | | | | boss |
| dogs dig, though. In some instances, dogs that dig | | | | Dogs are pack animals, which means they follow a |
| are experiencing some sort of nutrient deficiency. To | | | | hierarchy. Thus, when training your dog, it's important |
| make up for this condition, dogs oftentimes would | | | | that you establish yourself as the alpha dog (the |
| eat the dirt they dig. If your dog tends to dig a lot, | | | | leader). Your dog needs to understand that he is the |
| spend more time with him. It also pays to have your | | | | submissive being. Avoid showing any fear when your |
| dog checked up to make sure that his health is in | | | | dog snaps back. Doing so will break the established |
| good condition. | | | | hierarchy you have with your dog. When your dog is |
| Dog training tip #2: Potty training your dog | | | | doing his exercises, never allow your dog to stop |
| A reward-based method works best when potty | | | | mid-way or not complete the exercise. Firmly let your |
| training your dog. To use this method, give your dog | | | | dog know that it should do what you, the alpha dog, |
| a treat after it potties in the right place. Following up | | | | wants him to do. |
| good behavior with a reward will make it easier for | | | | Dog training tip #6: Act around your dog |
| your dog to remember doing good behavior. | | | | Your puppy will naturally want to chew on things so |
| Dog training tip #3: Repetition is key | | | | give your puppy an outlet for his chewing urges. You |
| Whenever you are trying to teach your dog | | | | can give your puppy a chew bone to chew. If your |
| something—whether it's a trick or making your | | | | puppy tries to chew on you, yelp loudly, fold your |
| dog obey a command—repetition is important. | | | | arms and ignore your puppy for about ten minutes. |
| Repetition and consistency are keys that will help | | | | When a puppy becomes too rough on other puppies, |
| your dog understand a command. To test if your | | | | the others yelp and tend to ignore the puppy. |
| dog knows a command after so many repetitions, | | | | However, you may need to assess your puppy's |
| test him without any assistance. Do this at least | | | | personality because he may react to the yelping by |
| three consecutive times to make sure that your | | | | biting more and even harder. If this happens, you |
| dog's grasp of a command is not simply a fluke. | | | | may need to apply a more aggressive approach. |