by John Savage

All dog owners know how difficult it can be to train your dog, and although on one hand your favourite pet is keen to please you, on the other hand they do not always understand what it is that you want from them. This can I know at times be very frustrating, but before you think about giving up let us consider some things that can help you.

When your dog does what you want her to do it is essential that you offer reward and praise. Don’t just resort to punishment when they do something wrong, but reward them when they do it right. Dogs love it when we give them our full attention and approval, and they will do all they can in order to get it. For instance, if you want him to go to the toilet in a certain place then reward them when they do, in fact, go over the top with your praise. This positive reinforcement is vital to your success in getting your dog to do what you want.

Now there are some training aids on the market which you can buy, some quite frankly being much better than others. Expert dog trainers are now turning away from choke collars and chains saying that they are quite ineffective for the task, as well as being harmful. What is still held in high esteem however is a good strong collar and lead, one which you can give a gentle tug to and get your dogs attention without causing any discomfort. A dog needs to be reminded of what they can and cannot do, and a good lead will help with this. Some people like to use a muzzle in order to try and control barking both when out, and when at home, but we shopuld never forget that barking is something that comes naturally to a dog.

Believe it or not, a good grooming brush and some toys can be considered dog training aids. When done right, dogs love to be groomed and they love to have their owners play with them. These activities can help a dog to remain calm and assured and keep her from barking incessantly, chewing on furniture, and so on. And of course the more you play with a dog the more tired she is so she’s less likely to have the energy to misbehave! So be sure to add these to your dog training aids list and use them often!

Let me say in conclusion a few words about the bathing of your dog which although at first sight might seem rather an onerous task, can actually be quite enjoyable for both of you. Treat it as a training excercise, and in time you both will come to look forward to it. Number one priority is to make sure you use only shampoo designed for dogs,do not be tempted to use your own shampoo, and then complete the excercise by useing a conditioner which again must be designed for dogs. Have fun, and your dog will enjoy it too.

About the Author:

Before you think about any other behaviour training make sure you visit John’s behaviour training special page You will be amazed at how different this is.

Tagged with: • • • • •

Filed under: Dogs

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!