The Best Way To Train Your Puppy
Every new pet owner wants a well trained puppy that listens to commands, is polite around other people and is an enjoyable member of the family. While training a dog takes more than one overnight session, it can be accomplished with some time and patience. Here are some expert recommended tips that can help you to successfully train your pooch.
When training a puppy, the first trick is to stick with short sessions. Sessions should be no more than thirty minutes long, and for some dogs, even shorter sessions are better in the beginning. Have a goal in mind during each session, but do not lengthen the sessions if you do not accomplish it on the first try. Short sessions will help to keep training enjoyable for you and your puppy, and they will keep you from losing your puppy’s attention and becoming frustrated.
Another important step in the training process is utilizing positive reinforcement. Some pet owners become frustrated with their dog and resort to hitting him or punishing him for not accomplishing a task. This method can often backfire. Remember that your puppy really wants to please you, and if you show him he is doing that, he will make greater efforts to learn the tasks at hand. Use lots of verbal praise, give your dog attention and offer treats as reinforcement. This is a great way to teach your pet and enjoy the lessons yourself as well.
Keeping lessons short and using positive reinforcement are both important, but neither will work if the lessons are too complicated. For best results, start with simple commands and work your way to more complex commands. Easy first steps in training include teaching a dog to sit, stay or come. These commands also serve a dual purpose, as they can often be combined or enhanced to teach more sophisticated tricks. Remember to start simple and your dog will be more likely to accomplish the tasks at hand.
In addition to starting simple, it is important to use a lot of repetition in your training program. Most dogs will not grasp a command on the first try, but if you keep at it, they will get it in time. In addition, it is easy for a dog to forget a command if you are not using it with a good level of frequency. Even if you feel your dog has mastered one command, keep using it spontaneously in future sessions for greatest retention and results.
Finally, do not be afraid to stop a lesson if you are becoming frustrated. Training a puppy takes time and patience. If you feel like you are running around in circles during a particular session, it will be difficult to maintain an appropriate level of patience. Rather than becoming frustrated, give your puppy a rest for a little while and come back to training at a later time or another day. This will help to keep your sessions positive and it will ultimately lead to a greater level of success.
Training a new puppy is an integral part of being a good pet owner, but training takes time, patience and effort. If you follow the simple steps laid out in this article, you will find that training sessions are easier and more successful, leading to a healthy relationship with your new canine friend.
