What Does Dog Training Entail?
Bringing home a new dog comes with many rewards and challenges. Both things can multiply based on the age and training of the pup in question. To maximize the pros and minimize the cons, you should research the concepts, tools and techniques involved in training a dog the same age and breed as your new friend.
House and Crate Training
No one wants to clean up dog messes or leave a pet home alone for work or school. For these reasons, some of the first things taught to puppies are where the bathroom is, how to ask to be let out and how to handle being in a crate when needed. Several dog training tools help you with these tasks, including specialty collars and harnesses that unlock dog doors, discourage anxious barking, and are designed to fit your pet and lifestyle. You can also get puppy training pads, crates and bedding from online supply shops.
Leash Training
Dogs generally are curious and friendly creatures who can easily be distracted during walks. It can be tough to help your dog avoid confrontations with other animals or pry them away from a new smell if not on a leash. While a leash may seem instinctive for a dog, your pet will likely fight against it until familiar with the tool. Leash training teaches you how to use the leash to communicate and enforce training with the dog instead of struggling with your pet.
Socialization
Meeting new people and animals can be stressful for your dog, especially if he or she has a shy personality or seems afraid of new people. It is best to introduce new human or animal friends to your dog in small groups, preferably one at a time, and have someone available to assist with each animal involved if introducing a new pet to the household.
Classes and Advanced Training
There are many classes designed to help train you and your dog for everything from house training basics to specialties like guide dogs. You can even find courses explicitly catering to the needs of various dog breeds, for instance, high-energy breeds like labs or malamutes. Most of these courses can be found through local or online pet shops or social networking groups for pet parents.
Proofing and Troubleshooting
All the training classes in the world will not help your dog behave the way you want him or her to without a proofing and troubleshooting period. This period is right after training courses and involves working with your pet to reinforce the lessons into instinctual actions. This is also a time to troubleshoot specific areas where your dog needs extra training and support.
The more you work with your new dog to learn skills, commands and tricks, the better your relationship will be, and the safer the household will be. It is a good idea to research various training classes, tools and techniques to find the right fit for the age and breed of your dog and your lifestyle for the best results.
