Owning a dog is one thing, but having it trained to your liking is an entirely different ballgame.
Trained dogs are known to be more obedient and less problematic than untrained ones, so if you want the best out of yours then you have to put in the time and effort to train them properly.
What this entails exactly will depend on what kind of dog you have. Different breeds are known for certain traits that can make training them easier or harder. It’s generally agreed upon by experts though that there are certain rules one should follow when training their dog to make the process easier and more effective.
If you’re looking to train your dog but don’t know where to start, here are 6 tips that should help:
Be consistent with your training methods
One of the most important rules in dog training is this: be consistent at all times. You can’t tell your dog not to do something on Tuesday and then expect them to do it on Wednesday just because you feel like it. They won’t get what’s going on and will probably end up doing whatever they want anyway.
This also means that you can’t let disciplinary measures slide once in a while because, just like with consistency, if you don’t follow through on them at all times then you’re nullifying their impact.
Be persistent
This goes hand in hand with being consistent. If there’s one thing dog trainers in Florida agree on, it’s that you have to be persistent when training your pet, or else they will lose interest and get used to doing whatever they want again.
If your dog doesn’t seem interested in listening to you, then don’t give up right away. Try going through the motions a few more times before you decide to try something different because a lack of a reaction from your dog could mean that they just need a little more time to get used to what you’re asking them to do.
If you are still not getting any results after trying for a while, then it might be time to hire an experienced Florida dog trainer to help you out. When looking for the best dog training in West Palm Beach FL, be sure to thoroughly research and read reviews first so you know who’s worth your time and money. A professional dog trainer will be able to help you train your dog in ways that go above and beyond what you could achieve on your own.
Be patient
One of the main reasons why training a dog is challenging is because they can’t tell us when they’re uncomfortable or doing something wrong. The only way we know if they don’t understand what we want from them is by watching their reactions, so it’s important to take everything with a grain of salt and keep trying anyway. Patience is important both for you and your dog. You should be able to go at a pace that’s comfortable and calm so you don’t feel stressed out from trying to do something constructive, while dogs need to be given enough time to process what it is you’re asking of them before they give you a response.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is usually better than negative reinforcement because, for one thing, it reduces the likelihood of your dog getting scared or nervous. It’s also better to teach them what you want from them using this method so they’ll have a good association between doing something good and receiving praise/rewards afterward.
This doesn’t mean that negative reinforcement is off-limits though. You can’t just ignore bad behaviors because dogs are still animals and they’re not perfect. However, you should limit the use of negative reinforcement to situations where they must know when they’ve done something wrong so they’ll think twice before doing it again.
Distract Your Dog From The Distractions
When you’re training your dog, it’s important to keep them focused on what you’re doing or asking them to do. This means that anything that might distract them from what you want should be eliminated as much as possible before training your dog.
If they still get distracted, then you can try using their name or giving them a command that they’re more familiar with. When your dog responds to the command without reacting to the distraction, give them lots of praise and maybe even a treat as well.
Understand Your Dogs Nature
Your dog’s nature, breed, and temperament should always be kept in mind when training them. This is especially true when you’re trying to house train your dog or when they need to be taught basic obedience.
For example, training a Siberian Husky would be much different than training a German Shepherd. It is known that Siberian Huskies are bred to roam free in the wilderness. That’s why they might disregard basic commands if you’re not observant enough. German Shepherds on the other hand will do whatever it takes to please their owners, but there’s only so much patience a dog has before they give up altogether.
You can avoid many training problems by understanding your dog’s nature and breed, so this is something you should always keep in mind.
The more patience, persistence, and dedication that you put into training your dog, the better results you’ll get in return. Following these tips is a must if you want to train your dog successfully and to do it in a way that’s safe and comfortable for both you and them.
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