Training your dog is essential if you are to put a stop to bad habits that could go on to affect your relationship in the future, such as chewing on your favorite pair of shoes or leaving behind smelly presents on the living room floor. The earlier that you start, the better. Here are some basic training tips to keep in mind in order to streamline the process for both of you.
Choose a great name
While you will obviously want to be creative about your new pet’s name, the name that you settle on can impact how you train him. Most dog training experts recommend choosing a short name that ends with a strong consonant. That is the kind of name that is really going to perk up a young pup’s ears in those important situations when concentration is key.
Set boundaries from the start
Decide on specific house rules before you even head out to the shelter to choose your new pet. It is imperative that you are consistent about enforcing these rules right from the very beginning so as not to confuse the dog. For example, if he is not allowed to sit on the sofa, make sure that he knows that fact immediately, and don’t allow it on ‘special occasions.’
Reward, reward, reward
Reward your new pet at every opportunity when he gets something right. Rewarding does not have to mean treats. It can simply mean praise and lots of it. Rewarding your dog helps him to know that he is on the right track, and since he is probably endlessly keen to please you, he will likely do everything possible to try to re-enact the behavior that did exactly that.
Set up a routine
This is especially true when it comes to your dog’s feeding times. A reputable veterinarian, like those at veterinarianfriscotx.com, will be able to assist you in setting up a healthy feeding schedule. Just like children, pets thrive on routine. It helps to keep them calm and much better behaved overall. Furthermore, by feeding your dog at the same time every day, you will be able to predict when he needs to head outside for a bathroom break a lot more accurately, thus helping to reduce the number of accidents that occur during housetraining.
Correct swiftly
It is important that you give your dog a correction for negative behavior moments after it has happened. Doing so at a later stage will be completely ineffective and a total waste of your time. For example, if you find a nasty surprise on the bedroom floor, there is absolutely no point in drawing your dog’s attention to it and scolding him. Rather clean it up and aim to keep a closer eye on him going forward. Never, ever rub your dog’s face in the mess as this type of punishment always does more harm than good.
If ever you find yourself struggling with basic training, don’t hesitate to call on the experts. A bit of help and guidance, especially in the beginning, can make the world of difference.