Dog Training Methods

If you recently got a new puppy or just want to train your current dog, this is the place to be. Dog obedience training is a very important thing to do but it can be frustrating. Hopefully, with the tips below you will be able to train your best friend to be a great-behaved dog!

In my opinion, positive dog training is the best technique to use when training your dog. By that, I mean not yelling, hitting, and trying to restrain your dog at all times. Your dog cannot obey you with fear or dislike of you. You need to create a "positive relationship" (so to speak) with your dog.

Also, it's a smart idea to use treats when you're doing dog house training to keep the dog's attention. Just don't give out too many of those treats - if you do, in the end your dog will be working only for the treats and not to please you or obey you, and if you stop feeding the treats, your dog may stop obeying you altogether eventually.

The Foundation

The ultimate goal you want to shoot for is for your dog to feel like you're his definite master but also like you're his best friend. My dog, who of course has had very good dog obedience training, is very attached to my family. If one of us goes outside, he'll stand at the door staring out sadly, wanting to be out too. Often when we come home and pull into the driveway, we'll see our dog lying down with his head on the windowsill watching for us to come home.

This is the reason many dogs don't behave: they don't see their owner as their master. Just because you're his owner doesn't mean you're his master. You have to establish yourself as "alpha" over your dog.

Dog Obedience Training

I highly recommend setting aside at least 15-20 minutes each day for a "Dog Obedience Training" session. It's important to keep it up repeatedly so your dog doesn't forget it. Remember, use a few dog treats! There are only a few basic dog training points you need to cover: sit, down, stay, heel, no bark, and of course, dog potty training (but we'll get to that one later).

Here's how command training goes:

Say the command, such as "sit," and immediately make the dog do the command (in this case, you would push the dog's rear end down to the ground so he's sitting). Make sure you say the command in a "masterful" voice fit for dog obedience training - not high-pitched or with any hesitation.

When he's in the correct position (or done the command), praise him in a high voice - excessively during your training sessions. Maybe give him a treat.

With dog house training, it's important that the dog not get bored. You will need to make the dog do the command a lot in the beginning, just don't make the dog do the command too many times in a row.

It's important that you associate a command with what the dog's doing. For example, if your dog is pulling on the leash, you say "Heel" and pull him to your side. Obviously, dogs don't speak English and only recognize certain words.

With the command "stay," training is slightly different. Make the dog sit and lie down, and say "stay," motioning with a spread out hand toward your dog as you say the word. Slowly back away from your dog. If he gets up, immediately say "Noooo" in a stern voice, go back and put him back in the position. Repeat the command and back away again until the dog stays. Remember, when the dog obeys, praise him excessively.

Dog House Training

It's an extremely important part of dog obedience training to be able to let your dog loose in your house without having to worry about him tearing up anything in sight. Puppies, in particular, are notorious for chewing up thing like slippers, pillows, etc.

Dog house training can be difficult because sometimes you only find the destroyed object after the dog has done the deed and has gone off to do other stuff. It's best if you can catch your dog in the act of destroying something. It's the same with dog potty training; it's easiest if you catch your dog doing it.

If you do catch him in the act, immediately take the object away from him and say in a deep voice, "No!" then "Baaaaaad Dog" several times. Don't hit him or yell at him. You can use this technique for other bad things your dog does, such as jumping up. If your dog has a crate, you can try shutting him in there for 15 minutes and leave him alone as "punishment."

Remember, house training a dog can take time and effort. It's easiest with puppies - with old dogs it may take a while. After all, it's hard too teach an old dog new tricks.

Dog Potty Training

Maybe the worst part of dog obedience training is trying to teach your dog not to use the house as a potty. If you have a puppy, it's vital that you start training him as soon as possible. Remember, however, that puppies don't have full control of their bladder until they're about 3 months old. You should start dog potty training immediately - just don't get too frustrated with your puppy the first couple months.

During the first couple months of dog potty training of a new puppy, you should take your puppy out at least once every 2 or 3 hours or so. If your puppy gets used to going outside, it'll be easier to potty train him as he gets older.

If your dog goes potty inside, don't rub his nose in it or yell at him. When you see him do it, say in a deep voice again, "No, baaaad dog" and immediately hurry him outside and give him a command to pee.

Eventually your dog will learn you don't like him going in the house and will learn by your dog potty training to hold it until you take him out.