how to train a dog

Without doubt, dog is definitely the most domesticated animal in the world. It is a normal thing to see a dog in many households as they are considered to be man's best friend. It goes to the extent that they are treated as a family member as they are loved by everybody. Dog training is considered important as there are numerous breeds of dogs. Based on the breed and the behaviour of the dog, relevant training programs will be followed.

In order for the dog to behave accordingly, you can employ numerous approaches in training a dog. Usually, dogs are considered friendly and sociable animals, but pet owners nowadays want their pet to follow certain instructions with ease. This can be achieved easily by seeking the expertise of professional trainers who have mastered themselves in dealing with different behaviours of dogs. Generally, the common dog obedience training consist of sit, down, stay, come, close, heel and up.

By following the top four dog training tips, your dog will be an important member of your family in no time.

Projecting yourself as a pack leader:

Dogs will generally look to their pack leader for guidance as they are known to be pack animals. As a result, you will need to establish yourself as a pack leader in order to gain control over your dog's behaviour. The food supply is generally controlled by the pack leaders. Hence, it is best recommended to feed the dog after the pack leaders get done with eating. Doing so will help establish good leadership over your dog and will help build a rapport between you and the dog. You must follow a feeding schedule and make a point to stick to it.

Positive reinforcement:

Positive reinforcement make dogs to respond well. During the dog training sessions, it is always a good thing to reward your dog for good behaviour. This will ensure success in the training sessions and will also encourage your dog to repeat those behaviours that earn him praises and treat. In addition, your dog will also begin to avoid exhibiting behaviours that get him nothing in return. It is important to note that punishing the dog during training will only to alienation between the two. In no time, the dog will start to look at you as a foe. Rewards and positive reinforcement will help strengthen the bond with your dog apart from ensuring success in dog training.

Realistic goals:

You need to set a certain goal in order to achieve success during training. But, the important thing during training is to keep your goals as realistic as possible. Otherwise, you will just be setting yourself up for failure. For instance, it is normal that you expect your dog to master the "sit" command in two to three days. However, expecting it to jump through hoops within the same time-frame is a little far-fetched.

Patience and consistency:

It has to be noted that you remain calm even when your dog has made a mistake. By showing your impatience and yelling at your dog will get you nowhere. You need to give some time for your dog tp get accustomed to learn each command. For this, you must always use the same words and hand signals. The pillars for successful dog training are consistency and patience.