Dog Training Uncovered
Whoever said that dog training is easy must be living on another planet because the truth is that it can at times be very hard, and what dog owner has not met another owner who has been on the brink of giving up the effort. Yes, your dog want to please you, but, have you made it clear to them just what you want?
Now tell me something, which do you prefer, to be rewarded for something, or to be punished? Well its obvious isn’t it, we all like to be praised and rewarded, and your dog is no different. They want us to love them, and approve of their actions, so if, for instance you want them to toilet in a certain place then praise them and reward them when they do, and they will want to do it there again. Believe you me, praise and reward can work wonders.
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.
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