How To Build An Effective Program For Pet Training
When working with a new dog or puppy, making behavioral changes takes plenty of time and patience. Effective pet training does not happen overnight. Success depends on spending adequate time with your dog on a consistent basis and applying good technique for helping him learn.
Each dog is different based on temperament, breed, and nature. Some dogs are very eager to please while others are naturally more distant. Certain breeds respond to different reinforcement, such as food, praise, verbal commands, or visual directions. Be sure to spend time learning about an individual dog’s nature to devise the most applicable program.
It is important to establish yourself as the pack leader or authority in your home. In a natural environment, dogs look to the pack leader for guidance and direction. It is a position of dominance, but should not be established by negative means. Speak with authoritative tones. Since you are in charge of the food supply, this is a good way to show you are in charge. Set a regular schedule of feeding and stick to it.
Use positive reinforcement and avoid being negative as much as possible. This means giving generous praise and rewards when dogs exhibit proper behavior. Ignore unwanted behaviors rather than yelling or scolding. This is the best way for dogs to learn which behaviors earn rewards compared to bad behaviors that result in no action.
Anger and punishment are virtually useless in teaching a dog proper behavior. Avoid striking or beating animals under all circumstances. The only result you get from negative actions is to alienate the animal. They will begin to see you as an adversary rather than a companion. By implementing positive reinforcement, you get more success in training and also build a strong bond.
When setting goals, be realistic about what can actually be achieved and the timing involved. It often takes longer than you expect. An unrealistic goal is expecting your dog to learn difficult commands in one or two sessions. Instead, start with a very simple command, such as teaching him to sit or lay down. Find out what helps him learn best. Then move to more advanced commands.
Consider the importance of timing when rewarding or correcting behavior. Your action must be a direct result of what the dog has done. Scolding after the fact has little effect other than cause confusion. For example, suppose you return home and find a sofa cushion has been chewed. Becoming angry and scolding your pet will not work because the bad behavior happened much earlier. Although dogs will naturally cower and slink away, they are simply responding to your negative language. Dogs are not able to connect their earlier actions with your belated reaction.
Consistency and patience are two of the most important aspects for effective dog training London Ontario. Use the exact same verbal and hand signals every time. Set a regular schedule to train. This can be a set time each day, or several small periods of time during the day. All these concepts come together to create an effective program to help your dog learn proper behavior.
dog training Vancouver can be challenging, but the rewards are priceless. dog training Calgary requires discipline and consistency. When experiencing problems, consult a professional. Bark Busters In Home Dog and Puppy Training 256 East 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5T 0A7 (604) 812-8214 – +1 866-418-4584.
