subject: Dog Training the Easy Way [print this page] Dog Training the Easy Way Dog Training the Easy Way
We are all familiar with the expression "dogs are man's best friend" but how easy it is to forget this when you come home after a long day at work to find your best friend has wreaked havoc on your house and ripped your furniture to shreds. Coming home to a "surprise" on the carpet isn't much fun either and all this can be avoided with proper training.
There are a few easy and simple ways to make training easy and fun for both you and the dog. Working against nature is always unproductive but if you learn to harness your dog's nature, you can easily turn even the most problematic of dogs into a well behave canine citizen.
Learn to Use Your Dog's Instincts to Your Advantage
Like us, dogs are social animals; in fact they are pack animals and predators. Understanding this about your dog can help jumpstart your training program. Like their close relative the wolf, they need a strong leader to guide and protect them. This leader should be you, and you will need to establish yourself as your dog's pack leader.
Like us, different dogs have different personalities, and establishing yourself as a pack leader will require you to understand your dog's personality well in order to learn how to use it to your advantage.
First of all you should try to discover if your dog is dominant or submissive. This is easier said than done as some does exhibit a little bit of both. Dominant dogs will constantly try to challenge your leadership and submissive dogs will be shy and timid, requiring a lot of reassurance and gentle handling.
Dominant dogs need more assertive handling and will need constant reinforcement of training and obedience commands. Make sure you always end your training session with a dominant dog on a good note. Dominant dogs do better with short, frequent training sessions and constant reminders of lessons taught.
Try to make your training sessions as mentally stimulating as possible or your dog may become bored and easily distracted.
Because dogs are social animals they don't do well if kept alone for long periods of time. Some dogs don't behave appropriately in the company of other dogs and it is your responsibility to properly socialize your dog so he is not a danger to himself or others.
Overly dominant dogs can be a threat to other dogs as well as people and you will have to learn to control your dog to keep him under control. Submissive dogs can potentially get themselves into a lot of trouble and it is your job as your dog's keeper and pack leader to keep him safe and to build his self confidence.
The crate as a natural den
Being den animals, most dogs take instinctively to being crated. Crates provide a safe haven for most dogs and you can use this to your benefit. A dog will rarely soil his sleeping area so keep your dog in his crate when you are busy to avoid any inappropriate urination or soiling when you're not around.
Never imprison your dog for long periods of time in his crate or he will learn to hate it. Provide him with comfortable bedding and some treats and toys and he will love using the crate.
The most important trick to dog training is to always remain calm, assertive and patient. Dogs love to please us and they will do everything they can for us but sometimes they don't understand what is required of them and it is ultimately our responsibility to communicate clearly what we want from them. Arm yourself with a lot of patience and perseverance and you should have a well trained dog in no time.
