The first thing we may think of when we hear the term dog training is that it should be left to the professionals.
However, you can train your dog yourself without having to spend money on help, to save it and thus attend to other types of needs. The right person for a dog to learn obedience is the one with whom he will interact the most Houston dog training.
The best thing to make this process more bearable is for us to have a young dog . This does not mean that an older dog cannot be trained, but the time involved is undoubtedly longer.
There are guides that explain in detail the commands that a dog can learn, but we will focus on the important keys that you should keep in mind when starting training.
What are the keys to dog training?
Find out about their breed
Each dog is undoubtedly different from the others, with unique personalities and behaviors. However, we are dealing with animals which have common characteristics with each other.
It is proven that dogs of the same breed present similar attitudes. This makes the training process easier for us. Become aware of the breed of dog you own and educate yourself as best as possible on its behaviors.
This can help you design a training plan that suits your needs.
If we are unsure about their breed, we can look for general behaviors to help you know what to expect. It is better to know what you are doing than to make many mistakes along the way.
Use a single name to call him
We understand that choosing a name for your new pet is personal and you want to give it one that you feel a connection with. However, it is important that the name follows certain guidelines so that the dog can adapt to it.
A dog’s name should be short, with two or three syllables at most.
Very long names could make training complicated. Our friends need names with strong vowel syllables that are easy to identify.
In addition, dog names should be easy to pronounce in different tones, in order to adapt them to the message we want to send to the pet. If you still prefer to choose a long name, consider using diminutives when you need to give a command.
Design the rules and your routine
Before you bring the dog home, you should know what you will allow and what you will prohibit your dog from doing. This way you will avoid inconsistencies when you try to train him.
Consider which places in the house the dog can enter and which not. Which activities do you consider appropriate and which ones do you want to prevent in the future?
If you take all this into account, you have to stick to the plan and thus make your dog understand this as soon as possible.
In the same way that you planned your rules, now you must create a routine for your pet, dog training itself .
Routine for a pet is a way to lead a healthier life, and for you a calmer life.
Structure when he has to eat, when he has to go to the bathroom, when he has to walk, when he has to play and when he has to go to bed. If you teach your dog this from an early age, the faster the progress will be made.
Train him at the right times
A common mistake pet owners make is not understanding that their time is different from ours. Dogs live in the present, try to carry out any teaching right at that moment.
If your dog has done something you don’t like, the time to scold him will be during the action or seconds after.
So, if you caught him long after he did, you’ve missed your chance to suppress him. Trying to scold him when he is calm after doing something that bothered you will make him think you are reprimanding him for lying down.
The same thing happens with rewards, try to give them these when the action that you consider pleasant ends. This way he will know how to correctly associate what behavior pleased you.
Focus on teaching him one thing at a time
Your dog is intelligent, but it is not a computer and even they need to be programmed to carry out the processes. You have to focus on a single command at a time.
Don’t try to cram everything into one training session. To train a dog , it is necessary to repeat the same command several times until he succeeds.
If you mix two different commands in the same session you will cause your pet to confuse the two commands.
Teach him to answer when called
You are the leader of the family and your dog has to see you as such. One of the best ways to establish this bond is by teaching him to obey when asked.
The first thing you should do is learn to approach him when you ask him to. Use his name so he gets used to it and speak firmly. Although our dog is our friend, we cannot forget that he needs an authority figure.
Patience is everything
This is the most important key in the entire process of training your dog and has nothing to do with him. Your perseverance and patience is what will ensure the results you expect.
Don’t expect your dog to be the best behaved after 2 weeks of trying to train him. This task requires your time and dedication.
If you give up after the third week of training, your dog will forget what you have tried to instill in him and you will end up having more problems in the future.
All these keys should be taken into account when you decide to have a new member of the family at home.
Even if it’s just try to let you be the one to train him at first. If you feel like you can’t handle the task then it’s time to call a professional.