If you have the great pleasure of sharing your life with a happy, bouncy canine, then you understand how they enrich lives and provide companionship. However, some dogs can be a handful, and it’s essential to train them to avoid daily chaos and bad behavior. Why and how do you do it?
Benefits
Teaching your dog basic commands is not a form of control but a way of giving your dog more freedom. In the modern world, where many dogs are domesticated, it’s crucial to keep them safe, teaching them basic rules when negotiating traffic or off lead.
Dogs love running and playing, but if you don’t teach them to recall when they are off the lead, they may disappear, and you will lose them. Dogs are intelligent animals, and they enjoy learning as it keeps their minds stimulated.
Reward-based
Dogs are generally food-driven, and training should always be reward-based. Rewards aren’t always tasty treats, but it is a great way to approach training initially.
Always try to reinforce good behavior and don’t punish bad behavior. Shouting or hitting your dog will not help them understand they did wrong and will only instill fear into them. If a dog demonstrates bad actions, it’s best to ignore them and do not respond. Withhold affection and strokes, so they know there is no benefit for specific behavior.
Study your dog and experiment with different foods to discover what their favourites are. You will have more success if the rewards are consistent.
Start lesson when there are few distractions. Be patient, and don’t be concerned if it takes time to make progress. It’s important to practice as much as possible.
Each time they behave how you want them to, give them a treat, rub, or favorite toy. It won’t take them long to make the connection.
If your dog seems to be showing symptoms of illness, don’t do training that day and contact an Easy Vet for a walk-in service to check them out. Dogs will not perform well if they are suffering physically.
Classes
If you’re struggling to train your dog at home, you could consider enrolling them in dog training classes to work with a specialist in dog behavior.
If you haven’t had your dog from a young age, you may not have all the information about his past, so there may be some behaviors that you struggle to understand and control. Professional behaviorists will be able to reverse certain behaviors in a safe and calm environment and teach you how to handle your dog.
Sending your dog to obedience classes will socialize them if they’ve had little exposure to other animals. They will learn some manners, and it will improve your bond with them.
In addition, dog training will protect your pup from potential danger when out and about, andthey’lllearn not to feel anxious when presented with situations that might make them fearful.
It’s true training dogs requires effort, but it’s well worth it for a peaceful and happy life with a canine companion.