August 14, 2008

Choosing good behaviors over bad ones

Training can be a daunting task.  Sometimes, you just tire out from all the work you put into training.  However, training does not have to be a class that is taught each day.  Instead, there are things you can do to train your dog throughout the day.  These training methods are simple, and can be done without much thought.  So, now you have no excuses; train away!

Your dog picks up on everyday habits.  If he jumps on you when you get home and you do not mind, then do not get angry with him for jumping on you when you are wearing your Sunday best.  Which brings me to my first point:  be consistent in everything you do.  If it is okay one day, then it should be okay the following day.  If you change the rules everyday, then your pooch will never be able to pick up on what you are wanting from him.  If you decide to change the rules, then also be consistent with your change.  Don’t confuse him more than he already may be! 

Some bad behaviors require a good amount of corrective training.  Others, however, can be taken care of fairly simply.  For instance, if your pooch likes to beg and you always give into his begging, then you are promoting a bad behavior.  So, start choosing good behaviors over bad ones.  Instead of giving into the begging, completely ignore your pooch.  Don’t make eye contact or even acknowledge that he wants something from you.  Instead, give him a treat when he does something right, making eye contact when you hand over that delightful snack.  He’ll soon learn that eye contact and acknowledgment means that he is doing something good (i.e. a treat), while receiving no response from you means he is doing something bad.  Eventually, you’ll get to the point where you can reward him for him acknowledging his bad behavior.  For instance, if he stops begging, then give him a command (“sit” for instance) and reward him for his actions.

Everybody loves to see a dog do tricks, and dogs love receiving the attention from their performances.  Instead of hard core dog training, teach your pooch a couple of simple tricks.  Having him perform the tricks each day and rewarding him for his performance is a way to keep your bond strong.  Tricks are also a way to keep him occupied and discourage other behaviors. 

Getting rid of his excess energy is also great for training.  Make sure you exercise with your pooch each day.  A long walk or a brisk jog can help relieve some of his built up energy that could be spent on bad behaviors.  Letting your dog be a dog is completely necessary.  He needs playtime and lots of exercise to keep him strong and happy.

Don’t put yourself in a reactive situation.  If you want your dog to exhibit a desired behavior, then you must teach him that behavior.  Be proactive in everything you do.  This does not mean that you have to spend hours each day training your dog; it merely means that you should not punish a behavior that you have not spent time teaching.

Always reward your pooch.  You do not have to handout dog treats left and right, but you should encourage your pet in other ways.  He deserves to take a trip to splash in a cool lake or romp through a mountain hiking trail.  Allowing him to spend time and bond with you makes any training process easier.  If you are consistent in your actions and in your commands, he’ll learn exactly what it is you are looking for.  He will also realize that good behavior takes him to his favorite places.

Training your dog day in and day out does not seem very appealing.  Although you should work on training, you do not have to spend countless hours doing so.  Instead, there are things you can do around your home to teach your dog what it is you want out of him.  Ignoring his bad behaviors and rewarding his good ones is just one way of reinforcing his behaviors.  Remember, your dog is a dog.  He loves to run, play, and show off.  Use these needs as teaching opportunities!

This article was provided by pet super store a website featuring dog training collars, personalized dog beds and pet carriers.

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