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How to Train a Dog
To know how to train a dog, you have to understand how dogs
think. Dogs aren't like people; they don't understand English,
and they behave in terms of packs and ranks. When training any
dog or puppy, you have to present the lessons in a way your dog
can understand.
1) Understand Your Dog
To your dog, you and all the members of your household are
his pack. A pack has only one leader, who gives orders to the
other members and receives their respect ad obedience. Most dogs
are happy to have you step into the leadership role; they feel
safer this way. However, if your dog sees that you're an
ineffective leader, he might try to take your place.
2) Start Early
Training is most effective when you start with a young puppy.
Young puppies learn faster than older dogs. Early training also
reinforces a dog's natural urge to depend on others.
However, don't believe that an older dog can't be trained or
re-trained. While it might take more time and patience, it is
possible to train or re-train an older dog.
3) Earn Your Dog's Love and Respect
When training your dog or puppy, always be firm and
consistent. Don't let him get away with anything. Demonstrate
your superior rank once in a while; eat your meal before feeding
him his, or make him get off the couch when he jumps up. Stand
your ground even if your dog appears reluctant to obey.
Don't abuse your dog. No matter how frustrated you become
with training, yelling at or striking your dog only teaches him
to fear you. This makes it harder for your dog to concentrate on
what you're trying to teach him. It also makes him less willing
to obey; a dog who loves and respects you will obey more readily
out of a desire to please.
4) Reinforce Good Habits
Reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. When your
dog repeats the same action over and over again, consistently,
it will begin to form a habit. When training your dog, repeat
the commands over and over until he's got it. Don't stop
reinforcing after your dog has mastered his tricks. Test him now
and then to make sure he still remembers.
5) Make Housebreaking a Part of the Training Process
You'll want to begin housebreaking your new puppy right away,
between the ages of eight to twelve weeks. You can use a crate
to help housebreak your dog; since dogs don't like to soil their
sleeping areas, this is a good way to prevent accidents while
you're out of the home or asleep. If you're confining your dog
to the crate at night and need to work all day as well, find
someone who can spend some time with your dog during the day.
Leaving him crated for too much of the time can cause behavioral
problems.
6) Make Training Sessions Brief and Frequent
Training sessions should occur for about fifteen minutes at a
time, two to three times a day. Start with basic commands, such
as "Sit," "Down," and "Come;" once you're dog has mastered
these, you can move on to tricks.
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