Training & Socializing your Pet
Having a puppy or a dog in your house is beautiful and he or she will always be a wonderful companion to you! However, it is equally essential to train your dog well and just in time. Life with a well-behaved dog has its rewards. You can trust him to respond reliably and quickly, plus you’ll have a dog that’s a joy to live with. Training enhances the relationship that you share with your pet, as during the process, you’ll learn to understand what he/she is saying to you and vice versa. Training takes practice, and the more time and effort you put into the process, the more you will get out of it.
Teaching your dog how to behave involves more than saying his name followed by giving him a command, followed by a little piece of food. That is stuff you read in psychology books and it isn’t completely effective. Effective training involves interpreting canine body language and now trained experts believe that the old ways of punishments and harsh corrections are in the long run, ineffective. Here are some effective training tips:
1. Positive training ensures that your dog knows that you’re pleased with him. Rewards can consist of petting, dog treats or even toys!
2. Use small treats like the ones sold in pet stores, or even small cut up pieces of hot dog or cheese.
3. Use cue words like sit, stop, etc only once. He/she will tune out if you use the word too many times. They’re smart enough to understand what you’re saying once!
4. Schedule training sessions before meal times so that he is looking forward to the treat by default and will therefore be more responsive and interested in the session.
5. Don’t train your puppy when he/she is tired or hot. You definitely want him/her to be energetic and in the mood.
6. If your puppy or dog isn’t listening to you, don’t get visibly angry or frustrated. End the session, pat them on the head and try again later. Some pets have softer temperaments and tend to get nervous when yelled at. Stay calm and relaxed so that your pet does too.
7. Apply the same rules and the same words all the time.
8. Don’t give a command unless either you are confident that your dog understands and will respond to it correctly or you are in a position to help him get it right
9. Keep your voice up beat and smile! Most people don’t have a problem being very clear about when they are unhappy with their dogs, but they often ignore the good stuff. Don’t do that. Big mistake! Be very generous with your affection, be over the top but make sure your little guy knows he’s loved.
10. There’s nothing wrong with telling your pet no. The confusion arises when you don’t explain what exactly you want him to do. For instance, if he’s jumping on people to say hello, instead of telling him no, (which he might take as a sign to jump higher or on another body part), ask him to sit instead!
11. Once a new behavior has been learned incorporate it into their daily routine. Use it everyday so that it becomes a habit!
12. Be sure to reward your dog during periods when he is not performing any unacceptable behaviors. For example, if he’s sitting quietly, this is a perfect opportunity to reward him with his favorite treat or a belly rub.
Trying to control a pet that hasn’t gone through obedience training is not only tough but also exhausting so don’t let that slack! The relationship between a pet and an owner is a joyous one and training your pet only enhances that wondrous experience!
