Tricks To Teaching Dogs Tricks? Oh, Yeah!
Who isn't impressed by a dog that can do tricks
? It's a fact that we are all a little envious when one of our friends starts showing off with his dog, getting the dog to shake hands, speak on command, or just nicely sit instead of jumping up on people. You have to admit that their dog seems smart and well-trained. There are other reasons to teach your dog tricks besides simply impressing your friends. It can be a positive experience for both you and your dog. Teaching your dog tricks can also teach your dog how to show approved behavior to please you and give both of you a feeling of satisfaction.
There are all kinds of tricks from the basic "roll over" to tricks that are designed for special occasions - such as teaching a dog to carry wedding rings at a wedding, or teaching dogs to do special tricks in movies. People are always thinking up new tricks for dogs to do everyday - a testament to how smart dogs are in learning to do them. But no matter how different all these tricks may be they have some things in common which you can learn. There's a framework or a background for teaching dogs tricks that will help you no matter what you'd like to teach your dog to do.
All successful dog trainers (and that includes you) do a few things in common. There are some basic foundations for successfully teaching your dog tricks. You need to know these things about teaching tricks before you ever begin to work with your dog. So, teaching a dog a trick means you need to know a few tricks of your own. There are three "tricks" that you, the owner and trainer need to know before you try to teach your dog a trick. These three tricks for training are 1. Choosing the rights tricks for your dog; 2. Choosing the right rewards for your dog; and 3. Staying positive throughout the training process.
Choosing The Right Tricks
When you consider choosing a trick to teach your dog you're much more likely to succeed in teaching him what he needs to learn if you choose a trick that suits him. If your dog hates to rear up on his hind legs (it's hard for some breeds because of their build), for instance, this dog is not a good candidate for "learning to walk" tricks. On the other hand, dogs who love to bring you things - sticks, balls, and so on - will do great with tricks that are based on fetching.
So, choose tricks for your dog based on what he likes and what he's already good at doing. That's pretty simple and it makes sense. If you try to teach him tricks that go against his physical build or his personal likes and dislikes you are more likely to fail. You and your dog are more likely to be frustrated with each other. Look for tricks that fit your dog's personality, his preferences and the skills he already has.
Choose The Right Rewards
Like other training; teaching your dog tricks is based on rewarding your dog when he performs the behavior you desire. You continue to reward your dog for his behavior until it becomes second nature to him. In order to get the best results it's important to choose the right rewards - rewards that your dog particularly cares about.
For some dogs the best reward may be praise. They thrive on praise and affection more than anything else. For other dogs the best motivation is food, or even a particular kind of food or treat. One of the mistakes that people sometimes make when training their dogs or trying to teach them tricks is using the wrong motivation. If you try to rely on praise for a dog that is motivated by food, you're likely to fail. Likewise, if you depend on food to reward a dog who cares more about your praise and attention, you will also fail. It's very important to know what motivates your dog so you can find the right reward for him.
Stay Positive
Teaching your dog tricks should always be based on positive reinforcement. If learning the tricks aren't fun for your dog it's unlikely that he will ever enjoy doing them. If your dog has fun with you while he learns the tricks then the whole process is something that you can enjoy together. If you resort to a harsh voice and punishment then your methods will probably backfire. Your entire training effort will be negative for you and your dog.
If you're having a bad training session it's better to ask your dog to do something simple that he knows how to do and end the lesson for the day on a positive note. Or simply end the lesson for the day and come back the next day when you are both in a better frame of mind.
Keep things positive and fun for you and your dog and you are much more likely to succeed. Remember that you have a long-term relationship with your dog. You don't want to resort to doing negative things that can harm your relationship. Your dog is too important for that kind of response.
If you choose the right tricks for your dogs and the right rewards, and strive to keep a positive attitude, you can teach your dog to do more tricks than you can imagine. Teaching your dog tricks can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you. Learning these three tricks of your own first so you can teach your dog will help you with everything you do.
by: Tristan Andrews
When Dogs Are Too Popular Would Doggy Day Care Be Good For My Dog? Why Does My Dog Always Bark At People In Uniform? Separation Anxiety And Your Dog Why You Should Adopt An Older Dog Watching Birds not in a Bird Cage Do Dogs See in Black and White? Why Is My Dog Barking And Growling? Teach Your Dog To Retrieve Teach Your Dog To Ring A Bell To Go Out Avoid Distractions And Get Your Dog To Pay Attention With These Dog Obedience Tips Should You Get A Female Or Male Dog dogpost12