Training Your Dog Can Be Easy and Fun
Training your dog is one of the first things you must do when you get him or her. Even older dogs can be trained, though the training will be easier if the dog is a puppy. If you want to have a good, solid relationship with your dog, then training is a must, because the dog must learn what behaviors are acceptable to you as leader of the pack and which are not. Yet, you must also be careful to not curb a dog’s natural instincts, as this would be upsetting for him. Instead, you must re-direct certain natural instincts into more humanly acceptable behavior.
The basics of training typically consist of house training your dog, teaching him some tricks, and teaching him to behave properly in public and in the presence of other people. All of these things are easily accomplished with a little practice and patience, and lots of praise (a treat or two doesn’t hurt, either, as it gives the dog a tangible incentive to do what you want).
The good news is that dogs are smart, and they can pick up on cue that we humans give them and interpret them correctly, be they verbal cues, hand movements, or some other type of direction. If you show your dog what you want him to do over and over, and associate this behavior with a verbal cue or a hand motion, your dog will quickly learn to associate that word or action with the motion you desire. If you provide lots of praise and a treat when he does what you want on command, this will reinforce the behavior in the dog’s mind and will make it easier for him to remember to do it in the future.
Training your dog can be a great way for the two of you to bond together. Spending time with your dog in an easygoing, non-stressful way while learning some new tricks and providing praise will make your dog love you all the more, and you’ll enjoy the quality time you get to spend with him. So, if you haven’t started training yet, now’s the time to start. He’s ready and waiting!
