4 Dog Training Tips

We all want a well behaved dog don't we? Or at least even if you don't want a dog that will sit on command then nobody wants a badly behaved dog right? One that chews up everything in sight and runs off when you take it for a walk, or one that barks all night long…

A badly behaved dog will also be more likely to fight with other dogs, and may be a danger to other people, especially kids. So you should seriously consider training your dog when you can to make sure you don't have problems later on.

Below are 4 dog training tips to help you out:

Train your dog as quickly as possible: It will be harder to train out bad habits they have learnt as they were growing, than to train in good habits. Take the time to train them as early as possible so they don't have to try and figure out what they should do on their own and then get it wrong. Think of your dog like a child, you wouldn't leave your child to grow up by itself then a few years down the line decide to teach them how to behave would you?

Consider getting classes: You can get dog training DVDs and books as well, and some of them are quite good, but they are a poor substitute for a real class. In a real class then your dog gets to be introduced to other dogs in a controlled environment, you get told what to do to train them as well as doing it in front of the instructor so they can correct you if you get it wrong, and they can help you if your dog doesn't react how he/she should.

Train with love not fear: Nobody learns well when they are learning through fear. The idea of training is to get your dog to behave well so you can have a long and loving relationship, not so that your dog cowers away from your every time you come near! You need to correct them when they do something bad, by telling them they did wrong, not by hitting them or locking them away etc, but the main way to train them should be by rewarding good behaviour.

Do not let bad habits build: As I said in the last tip, you can't let bad habits build, your dog will test you just like a child would, and if you let it get away with something bad then it will know it can do it again. If they do something wrong then don't forgive them in 2 seconds and start to fuss over them, or they'll think it is ok, tell them off sternly and walk away instead.