Dog Training

Dog Training at WoofBeach Shore – 132 W Liberty Drive, Suite 100 in Wheaton – Call 630-528-0300

A Few Basics About Dog Training For New Dog Owners

Just like their young human counterparts, puppies can be quite impressionable. The things your puppy experiences and learns now will help form his or her behavior for the rest of their lifetime. Establishing firm rules and clear boundaries right from the start of Dog Training is important. Imagine your pet fully grown and how you want your dog to react to commands and how you’d like him to behave. Puppies need to learn the rules of their new living environment so they are an enjoyable, contributing member of the household. The most effective instructors are patient and make the learning process fun. Below are some basics about Dog Training to help you and your new canine friend start off on the right foot.

A dog’s point of view
If you’re a new dog owner, you are probably on your way to forming a rewarding, positive relationship with the newest member of your household. Knowing some fundamental dog behaviors can be very helpful in Dog Training.

From the moment dogs are born, they are mostly concerned with knowing what’s safe and what situations are potentially hazardous. Dogs do not automatically understand the differences between wrong and right behaviors until they are taught to do so.

It is very important that when you first bring home a new puppy, everyone in your household should handle your pet and share the responsibilities of caring for him or her. During your puppy’s learning curve and then continuing on throughout their adult years, everyone in your family ought to have a consistent approach to Dog Training with respect to commands, daily routines, feeding time, toilet training and other house rules such as staying off furniture or jumping on visitors.

Dogs basically learn from their experiences – both positive and negative. When dogs have good experiences, they are much more likely to repeat that behavior. That’s why Dog Training experts tend to prefer rewards-based training practices.

Appropriate rewards
Rewards can be food treats, a new toy or simply praise and attention for your pet throughout the regular course of your day. Generally, Dog Training professionals will suggest using food for a reward for most puppies because it brings more value than just attention and petting. Dog Training with food often gets results faster than praise alone. Still, it’s also a good practice to use praise as a supplement along with food. The frequency of using food rewards, however, should be reduced once a behavior is learned. As the source of food for your pet, you’ll boost your status from your pup’s perspective.

The start of the Dog Training process

Dog Training can begin from the very first day you bring your new puppy home. Here are a few useful tips to get you started:

*Food rewards should be relatively small and varied. If you are consistently rewarding your pet with the same edible treats over and over, your dog might get bored and distracted.
*Be aware that Dog Training is occurring with each interaction between you and your dog.
*Do not attempt teaching your puppy new commands if you are not feeling well or if you’re too tired. Training is most effective when you and your pet are energetic and having fun!
*Don’t repeat your verbal commands too much. By repeating commands your pup may “tune out” and stop paying attention to you. Also, there’s no reason to raise your voice too loudly when you’re giving commands. Dogs have excellent hearing and yelling is not beneficial.
*Remember to have patience when your new puppy is starting to learn something.
*If your dog displays positive behaviors, remember to reward him or her.
If you can, let your puppy spend some down time on his or her own during the daytime while you’re away from home at work or school. If you are able to teach your dog that it’s okay to be alone, you’ll help prevent problem behaviors like separation anxiety or general destructiveness
*Remember to work toward success. Don’t place yourself and your dog in a difficult spot where he may fail. Make it fairly easy for your dog to learn!
*After you’re confident that a positive behavior has been learned, it is very important to begin phasing out those food rewards and depend more on the sound of your voice and affection as rewards instead. Food treats now and then are still okay as a reward for good behaviors, but it’s better to give them intermittently so the dog will try harder.

Dog Training experts generally do not recommend punishment as a teaching tool. Dogs that receive punishment from their owners may begin to view humans with suspicion. It is important that your dog should view you with trust. Dogs that enjoy a healthy relationship founded on shared trust will typically feel much comfortable and confident. Punishment can result in negative behaviors and even aggression.

Housebreaking Your Dog

From the first day your puppy arrives at your home there is a period of adjustment. Your objectives are to help your dog to form a bond with his or her new family and to minimize the stress from leaving their mother and previous home. If you already have other dogs the transition period may actually be a little smoother because the puppy will be able to interact in a positive manner.

Most puppies, particularly those who arrive at their new home at less than about three months old,
will establish connections quickly to the people and pets there as long as there are no negative experiences.

A useful guideline to follow when it comes to potty training is to always set up your puppy for success.
Watch your puppy at all times until he or she understands where they are to go to eliminate. Using a leash is an effective way to keep your puppy in control and in view. Plus, they will learn not wander. This is especially noteworthy for a busy household.

During times when your puppy will be unsupervised, like at night or when you’re away at work, put him or her in a safe and secure area. A crate or a dog run are very effective and very safe. Or, the puppy could be placed in a secure room that is “dog-proof”. When choosing your dog’s confinement area it’s helpful to keep a few factors in mind. The puppy will likely adapt quickest to their new resting area if they associate it with rewards. The crate or confinement area should have warm, comfortable and dry bedding materials and should not be used as Dog Training punishment.

Housing your new puppy in an isolated room where there is not a lot of interaction with people or other pets like a laundry room or a basement should typically be avoided. Frequently, the best area is the kitchen, which can also serve as the dog’s feeding station too. When your puppy needs to be confined, try to exercise him first and take them outside to eliminate.

For more information on Dog Training at WoofBeach Shore and how our courses can benefit your pet, give a call today at 630-528-0300.

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