Tips To Train Your Dog.

Once you bring home your beautiful dog (or puppy) from the shop, pound or kennels you then need to train it. Where on Earth do you begin? There are plenty of books out there written about dog training and dog obedience. We have simply distilled all the advice into seven basic tips on how to train your dog. They are:

1. Be Your Dog's Leader. Be consistent. Dogs are pack animals by instinct. In the wild they live and hunt in packs, so you need to be your dogs pack leader. Most experts believe it is all about consistency, be consistent when enforcing rules and regulations. Expect your dog to push the boundaries and that is when you need to establish yourself as the leader. Earn your dog's respect by being firm but fair. Don't use violence to establish your rules, instead use positive reinforcement techniques.
2. Maintain Eye Contact. When you are training your dog it is important to maintain eye contact. Dogs look to the eyes for cues in leadership. This is also a useful tactic when out walking, if you look into the dog's eyes when giving instruction, he or she will see you more as the leader.
3. Teach Your Dog To Heel. This is one of the first things you need to establish. You can either use the short or long leash method but either way, it is important to reward positive behaviour i.e. when your dog follows your command to heel. Once this command is mastered you will find that you and your dog have a much closer bond, so that is why this is one of the cornerstones of successful dog training.
4. Housetrain Your Puppy or Dog. Dogs will want to keep their living area clean, they don't want to poop in their own backyard (or on your carpet). Housetraining just needs a bit of consistent (there's that word again) dog tuition. Reward positive behaviour, scold ‘accidents' quickly and don't forget to take your dog for regular walks and toilet breaks, preferably not just in your backyard and of course, always remember to take a plastic bag with you to pick up the mess.
5. Check Out The Latest Training Aids. The dog training world is now full of very good training aids. You do not need to do dog training all by yourself. What with clickers, electronic and chemical training aids, leashes and leads of different varieties, halters, electronic collars, muzzles and treat carriers you are sure to find the dog training aid that is perfect for your needs.
6. Take Your Dog To The Vet. Simply put, you need to make sure that your dog is healthy and that there are no physical impediments stopping your dog from becoming successfully trained. For example, if your dog has cystitis it will be very difficult for you to stop your dog urinating in unexpected places. A preventative trip to the vets is far better than a soggy carpet.
7. Be Patient. Do Not Use Physical Force. Unless you or someone else is in immediate danger you should not use physical force on your dog. It has been proven that the old stick methods of training simply do not work. Positive reinforcement works much better but of course, you may have to learn the most important attribute of all, patience.

Disclaimer:  This article is supplied for informative purposes only. Seapets Ltd has done its very best to make sure that the above information is up-to-date and correct, but takes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the following of this advice. As always, it is recommended that you consult with your local vet regarding any concerns that you may have for your pet.

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