Old dogs can learn new tricks. Dog training takes patients and time but virtually any dog can be trained to do simple tasks. One of the key factors is usually consistency. Dogs want to please their owners and be rewarded. Here are a few simple tips that anyone can follow and use with their pets.
Rewarding a dog for good behavior is a great way to start. This can be done with praise or a special treat. You may get better results with a combination of both. Rewards let your dog know that it has done well and you are pleased with its behavior.
A mistake that pet owners often make is that the give rewards at inappropriate times. When your animal is misbehaving, don’t give treats to stop the bad behavior. This allows your dog to think the behavior is good and he will be rewarded for behaving in this manner. Scolding your pet for the behavior won’t have any effect because a treat has been given and it confuses the animal.
Pets don’t respond just to treats, they also get a lot from the tone of your voice. If your tone is firm then they will know you are correcting them. If you are gentle and encouraging then they will consider the behavior acceptable and know it is alright to do as you ask. How you speak can mean a lot more to a dog than what you actually say.
You may need to show your dog the treat before you give the command when you first start training. The treats let him know they will be rewarded for following your commands. As you progress and your pet gets used to each command you can gradually stop giving treats. Always remember to praise your pet for good behavior.
You should always take things one step at a time. If what you are doing is complex then you may need to break it down into more than one command, especially at first. Once your pet learns the first command then you can add others to get the desired result. You will want to give a treat after each correct response from your pet and withhold treats for incorrect responses.
You can develop a great bond with your dog. There are many books and videos available for more detailed training practices. Dog training can be a wonderful experience for you and your pet.
Animals in general want to please their owners. If you want to teach your dog proper behavior or even to do tricks then there are a few simple methods taught by (http://www.prodogk9.com) dog training nj and specifically a (http://www.prodogk9.com) NJ dog trainer to help you achieve this.