Dog Training Tips

By: Dawn Lambie

Training your dog can be simple, or very frustrating. It all depends on what information you chose to use. Many common problems arise during dog obedience training and dog house training. Here are some tips to help you to a more enjoyable and effective training time.

*House training- Look for the signs. Once your dog realizes where it is supposed to go potty, he will give you signs such as nose grazing, loitering around the door, prancing around the room, eye contact, and even barking. I know one dog that actually rings a bell! Dogs should have regular feeding times and food should be picked up right after they are finished eating. They should be let out on a consistent schedule. If he makes a mess, do not call the dog to you, go and get him. Sit him down and make him look at his mess. Scold or growl to show you are not happy. Then take him outside. Do not let your dog see you clean up his mess. This will undermine your authority, as he will think of you as his maid. This is one of the most common reasons for serious house soiling. Your dog must learn control. You should not have to constantly be on the lookout at the door. Once the incident has been handled, do not continue to scold him.

*Chewing- Coming home from work and finding your son's brand new glasses case chewed up or the vacuum cleaner cord or PS2 cord chewed in half, or even the couch cushion with a huge hole is very frustrating and can make you very angry. Of course, although you take it quite personally, your dog does not chew things to make you upset on purpose. Sometimes, it is just going through a chewing stage, and all you need to do is supply chew toys. But, when he has his own chew toys, sometimes, your dog has its own frustrations. He may not like being left alone, or he may just be bored. If you discover a chewed item, take your dog to the item and make him look at it. Then scold him or discipline him under the chin. Be sure to use some preventative measures such as greeting and leaving your dog with a quiet praise. Instill a sense of responsibility in your dog by saying "watch the houseor take care of the family." Take away a special bone a couple hours before you leave, and then playfully give it to him before you leave. Leaving the radio on, sometimes distracts them.

*Digging- Many times the reason a dog digs continuously is because it is forced outside a lot, or it is never allowed indoors. Your dog will dig to release frustration or because of boredom. The most effective way to prevent digging because of this is to allow your dog to come inside and become part of your family. Some breeds have a natural tendency to dig for specific reasons. Even these dogs can be trained to stop digging with proper obedience training and being included in your family life.

*Jumping Up- Dogs usually jump up on humans because they want attention. Train your dog to sit as a puppy. For older dogs, grasp their paws firmly and squeeze. Then let go and say no.
*Riding in Cars- Choose a smooth, short route. Do not give food or water at least three hours prior to your trip. For the first couple trips, let the dog sit in the car for a few minutes to get used to his surroundings. Go for longer trips each time. Praise your dog as he jumps in the car. Your dog should already know the down and stay commands before taking any trips. And, he should never be in the front seat.

These are all common problems with simple solutions. Good luck and happy training!

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