How To Get Started With Dog Training

By Bella Smith

A well trained dog is like a well-behaved child. They are wonderful! The same applies the other way round ' an untrained dog is like a disobedient child. They can cause havoc! That's why it is important for every dog owner to do some simple dog training.

Many people incorrectly believe that not every dog can be trained. This is not the case. All dogs can be trained. Certainly, some are harder to train and others are easier to train. The success rate depends largely on the trainer's skills and experience.

When a dog has been trained, it is secure, happy and relaxed. Every dog wants a leader just like their ancestors who hunted and lived in packs. There was always the 'alpha male' that was respected and obeyed by every dog in the pack. Your dog will look to you to fulfill this role.

Teaching your dog his or her name is the first thing to do. This will enable you to get a response from the dog every time you call its name. This forms the basis to all other dog training lessons.

Once your pooch is responding well to his name, you can teach him the command to 'come'. Hold a treat in your hand and let him sniff at it, but don't let him take it. Back away a bit and say, in a firm command, 'Blackie, come!' Give him the treat when he comes to you. Every time you do this, go back further. Praise him profusely each time he obeys.

You can apply the same principle with the 'sit' and 'stay' commands. Keep your voice firm at all times so the dog learns the different tones to your voice. They quickly realize when your voice is playful or when it is serious. The praise factor is critical because essentially all a dog wants is to please its master.

Be cautious however about how many treats you dish out. While a treat is necessary in the early stages, you don't want the dog to obey commands simply because she or he can get a treat. You want obedience on command, with the reward being praise. Only use the treats while training. Don't give treats in between training sessions, because the dog will get confused.

If you want to enter your dog in shows or training competitions, you should seek some professional help. Join a training clinic where you can learn all the formal requirements that go with dog shows. You can get lots of information online about this form of dog training. - 32366

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