Dog Training Basics

Dog training isn't as hard as it may seem. Sometimes it's just a matter of getting to know your dog and his habits. There are a few areas where you can prepare yourself if you are trying to train your young dog. One thing is to build a good relationship with him. You can do this by learning where your dog likes to urinate in the house. It could be in a living room, a family room, or even heaven forbid your bedroom!. Try to figure out why that particular area is a favorite place for him to urinate. Watch your dog’s habits very closely to learn as much as you can about him. Doing the above will aid you in the potty training part of your dog's training.

Build trust and a mutual respect with your dog by respecting when he is napping. Dogs need rest too! Be sure to feed your dog the best type of food in order for them to digest the food well. Sometimes when dogs act out, it may just be a simple matter of an upset stomach or even a grumbling empty stomach. Snacks are a great reward for your dog as well. Nothing big, just a little doggy treat to let your dog know that you are proud of them. Also chew toys are a good way to keep your young dog busy during the day and it also helps to make their teeth stronger for the adult dog meals that are soon to come. Another way to help in training your dog is to build up your own confidence. Let your dog know and feel that you are in control and that you demand respect when he acts out.

Keep your dogs in good spirits. Be patient and try not to be cruel to your dog even if they do something like chew on your furniture. If something like that happens make eye contact and use a stern voice and say "No"! That will let your dog know that chewing on things other then their toys is a bad idea.

Learn a few commands to assist you in your daily training activities such as sit, down, come, stay, leave it, no and when you want your dog to give you space, you can simply say go to your area. These short and sweet commands will let your dog know that you are in control and teach them to follow the rules of the house. Be sure to always call your dog by his name so that he can have his own identity.

This will also make it easier for them to come to you each time you call for them. When your dog does something bad use authority in your voice so that they can recognize your tone and stop the bad behavior. Use a softer tone when your dog has had a good day.

Last but not least, potty training which at times can be very difficult. It can be accomplished with a lot of patience. It’s good to start these potty training habits early, build a routine, and stick with it as much as possible. In the morning take your dog out, either before a feeding, or 20 minutes after a feeding. Sometimes it's easier to do both when you are in the early potty training stages so your dog can get used to a routine. Walk your dog for at least an hour or until he finally goes.

Some additional points- while outside try to find a particular spot where you would like for your pet to go. Make sure to take your dog to that same spot in the yard each day so he can go there on his own as time progresses. Reward your dog with a treat for good behavior and take away those treats when they misbehave or make some other bad behavioral choices. Setting boundaries is always good for your dog. Boundary setting a great way to build a close relationship with your dog and also confidence in yourself as an owner.

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