Many dog owners don’t understand the traditional role of a pack in a dog’s life. Even if a dog only spends time in a pack-like setting when he is a puppy, it is in the dog’s very nature to submit to pack laws. When very young, puppies must sort out their different roles. The larger and stronger pups will be the ones who get to eat first. Dominance is a key component of the pack lifestyle.
When you adopt your puppy and bring him home, the roles are going to shift. If he was the strongest pack member before, you may need more than just basic puppy training techniques in order to get him to behave. If you manage to establish yourself as the pack leader right away, puppy training should go much more smoothly.
If your new puppy’s reaction to his new home and family include him being shy, isolated or submissive, he is merely asserting his role in his new pack by acknowledging the role of his new pack leader – you.
When deciding which puppy training techniques are right for you and your pet, there can be a lot of information out there to sort through. Let’s cover a few different things you should address:
One of the first puppy training techniques you should use is getting the puppy to earn things like toys, treats, and playtime. By earning rewards, instead of just receiving them, the dog will be easier to train. This method is called positive reinforcement. If you are punishing your puppy when he misbehaves, instead of rewarding him for good behavior, then you are utilizing the puppy training technique of negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement uses tools like fear, guilt, and shame to keep a dog in line. This can cause a dog to become more aggressive, angry, or mean and can promote endless power battles between you and your pet.
Next, decide what your command words will be. It is important that you make a purposeful choice for each command as you will need to be consistent with its use. You cannot use words like “Stay” and “Don’t Move” interchangeably. You will need to select one or the other to ease confusion and keep the dog training on track. This is a puppy training technique that you should not forget.
Start using the “No” command as soon as you bring your puppy home. This puppy training technique works not because of the command itself but because of your tone of voice when you use it. You do not need to yell or scream. Simply use a firm, but authoritative, voice and say “No” whenever the puppy attempts to do something you do not want him to.
The easiest, and most common, puppy training technique to master first is the command “Sit.” Once you are able to get your puppy to sit, you can then reward them with a treat or affection. A common way to accomplish this command is to hold the treat in one hand over the puppy’s nose and push down his backside with the other hand to make his body sit. Repeat this process until the puppy understands that this is the reaction you are looking for. By having your puppy sit calmly and wait for you to hand them a reward, you are also training your puppy to be patient. Otherwise you could have a dog that jumps all over you, and everything else, each time he gets excited about a potential reward.
These are just some basic puppy training techniques to get you started. There are a variety of different training methods available for dogs including training for guide dogs, herders, performing dogs, rescue dogs, guard dogs, and hunting dogs. Certain breeds may also have very specific training that relates to them.
Service animals, or guide dogs, are trained thoroughly through their sensory skills using their natural instinct to protect in order to make the training successful. Some dogs are trained to protect a specific person, place, or thing. When focusing on puppy training techniques for rescue dogs, the bulk of the training will revolve around air scenting, trailing and tracking. There is similar training with hunting dogs whose training focuses on their scents to track and locate an animal. Dogs trained to work with law enforcement go through a series of training that teaches them how to not only locate illegal items, but other ways in which to assist police officers in their daily duties. In other words, puppy training techniques vary depending on the purpose of the dog.
Whatever type of training your puppy needs, be sure to get started early and be patient. Puppies will not always catch on right way but with repetition and persistence, you and your pet can both succeed.
Related posts:
- Understanding the Role of Alpha Dog
- Notable Differences Between a Male and Female Pup That Owners Should Be Aware Of
- Five Training Devices
- Dog Training Methods
- Is Puppy Training the Same as Obedience Training?
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