Teach Your Pet The Dog Training Basics

Dogs can be great companions and are, of course, very loyal too. However, before you rush off into thinking about advanced activities, such as dog agility training, you will need to make sure that you fully consider the basics. You will need good, fundamental building blocks in place before you can teach anything advanced to your dog.

Often, people think that the basics of dog training are things which are actually quite advanced. Whenever you see a dog that's 100% obedient, even in the face of distractions, you should congratulate the owner on a job well done. If the dog always stays where it should and never barks out of turn, the owner really will have put some advanced level work in.

When you are considering the basics of dog training, it's therefore important not to try to expect too much at once. Training should be in short bursts, building up your dog's understanding as you go along. It's always a mistake to try to cover too much before your dog has grasped the basics. Attempting to cram in too much will leave you with a dog that's confused and bewildered.

Long training sessions can be counterproductive as you end up tiring the dog and very little is achieved. You can also become frustrated yourself, which is not helpful when you need to be clear in your instructions. You might raise your voice unnecessarily, and this tension can be picked up by your dog. It is better to remain calm and controlled in short, relaxed sessions not exceeding thirty minutes.

Taking the time to establish a good bond with your dog is essential if you want to have a productive training relationship with your pet. Having a good grasp of the fundamentals will be much easier if your dog trusts you and understands that they are safe with you as their owner. If you can get this right, your dog will be able to master dog obedience training quickly, and in a way that is enjoyable for both of you.

Making sure you create the right environment for training is about more than just having a good bond with your pet. You will need to ensure that you have the right training equipment, as well as an environment that's low on distractions. Where possible, spend the money on a good quality leather dog collar that is secure and comfortable. This should fit snugly around the neck, but it should not be too restrictive to compromise breathing.

After building up a close bond with your dog, you will probably want to start using some commands. The simplest will be used to get your dog to sit. To get your dog to sit still you will need to push them gently on their back while pulling slightly on their lead. This should move them towards a sitting position. As you do this, say "sit" in a clear voice. When they take the sitting position you should praise them and give them a treat so they know they have pleased you.