Dog Guidance Blog

It is often said that one of the greatest stress relievers is to have is a pet, particularly a pet dog. Dogs are often brought to therapeutic facilities to soothe patients and bring them joy. Of course, if you have ever had a brand new pet dog at home, then you know that it can bring just as much stress as it does smiles. The best time to start training your dog begins when it is still a puppy. However, no matter what the age, instilling effective training in your dog is very beneficial now and in the long run. These are some ways that you can get the most enjoyment out of your pet through dog training.

To help potty train puppies, consider using a crate. Crate training may sound unpleasant, but it’s actually one of the most natural ways to train puppies. A crate is considered their home or den, and puppies have an instinct not to soil in this space. Just be sure to limit the time spent in the crate, so your pup can spend time with you too.

Training your dog is a daily, on-going process. Ask your dog to sit before being petted, fed, or taken outside. By constantly reinforcing lessons, your dog will learn that all commands are applicable in all situations. If you train only in specific locations at specific times, you may end up with a dog that only “sits” in the living room at 6 p.m.!

If you’re tired of your dog pulling on the leash while walking with you, here’s a simple training method. Take your leashed dog to an outside place that is familiar to both of you – such as the backyard – then begin to walk. If your pet stays beside you, right at your thigh, reward it with a treat. If the animal rushes forward, stop walking. If it wanders off for some reason, say “let’s go” in an upbeat way and turn and walk another way. When it catches-up with you, give it a treat, and if it doesn’t catch-up, pull gently on the leash until it gets the point. In this way, you reward good behavior and don’t have to be unduly harsh for bad behavior.

Training your dog can definitely present many challenges as well as rewards. Following these tips and tricks for training your dog consistently will result in a better-behaved dog. The time put in now to implement these techniques means there will be more time to enjoy the company of man’s best friend.