June 18, 2009

Best Puppy Training Secrets

Ever since the beginning of time, dogs have been the most preferred choice as pets by most households. Many have proven that they are proficient, steadfast, smart and trainable in diverse farm duties and simple household tasks. They can be charming and submissive to their owners but vicious to total strangers. These qualities make them an ideal escort for those who are single in life as well as to couples who are just planning to start their own brood. Babies to older adults will not have a hard time adjusting to their presence.

Studies show that a dog’s behavior as an adult is a result of his breeding and training. Because you can’t do anything anymore about a dog’s breed since it is an inherent part of his personality, you just have to make sure that he was trained well in his younger days so that you won’t be experiencing any attitude problems when he is already a full grown adult. This is a big consideration to mull over when you want to get another puppy in the future. Here is a list of puppy training secrets that you must know in order to have a well-mannered pet in the future.

The first thing that you have to do is to make your pet feel secure in your company. Spend some quality time by playing with him after you have gotten home from your office. This process will ensure that you have established a good rapport. It’s a no-no to start implementing difficult tricks that would boggle his mind because it will not lead to any learning. After making your pet comfortable, slowly impose discipline by taking away his comfortable lifestyle.

There are a lot of ways to do this but the most common includes putting a leash around his neck, placing him inside a kennel or positioning him in a crate. It is expected that your dog would howl in protest. At times, it may be too annoying that you would want to stuff his mouth with a ball of socks. However, remember that all this seemingly vicious acts will gain benefits. Try to be immune to this kind of suffering. Remember, you only want what’s best for your dog. The end justifies the means, as they often say.

Next, educate him a simple trick followed by a nice food. The reward could come in the form of a tiny chewable bone or a slice of chicken meat. Just like the classic conditioning technique by prominent psychologist Ivan Pavlov, he will learn to connect the new trick with the treat. This will stroke their attention and whet their appetite for more chow.

Third, you can turn 180 degrees and let your dog learn through the negative conditioning method. Utilize this method by saying the words no, stop and don’t in a loud and commanding tone. They will make a distinction that it is something important in relation to your voice.

Fourth, you have to follow through. Be consistent when giving commands and orders as well as their corresponding rewards or punishments. Do not flip flop when it comes to this. Your dog will get confuse if you did something once then change the rules the second time. He must realize that everything is well-established when it comes to your instructions.

Lastly, give choices. If there are tricks or tasks that he can’t easily act upon like not digging the front lawn or backyard, then provide another alternative like another digging space beside the dog house yard.

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Filed under Cat Training by Miyagii Moto

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