How and When to Start Training Your Dog?

Dogs, your furry companions are known to be the most loyal pets. Dog training is necessary to make your dog act in specific ways or avoid unwanted behavior. But, when to start training your dog. 

When to Start Training Your Dog?

Puppies start learning from birth, but they have short attention spans. Puppies can learn commands like sit, stand, and down. This type of learning should start from seven to eight weeks of age. Teaching must be gentle and must rely on positive reinforcement. As puppies have a short attention span, training sessions should be brief but need to occur daily. 

Formal dog training should start after six months of age. During this stage, the dog is trying to solidify behavioral patterns and overcome fears. Training given in puppyhood might need to be changed. Anything learned incorrectly needs to be re-taught. 

How to Train Your Dog?

There are two commonly used methods by which dogs are trained: 

Aversive-Based Training: This method uses positive punishment and negative reinforcement techniques like loud, unpleasant noises, scoldings, and punishments, to get the dog to act in a certain way. 

Reward-Based Training: This method uses rewards like treats, belly rubs, and other dog pleasing actions when the dog acts in a way you want. Training dogs in a positive way is considered to be the best way to train dogs.

A dog needs to get the following training: 

House Training: Firstly, dogs must learn where to urinate, house training will help to teach that. Crate training is helpful for house training. In crate training, a dog needs to be confined when one is not able to supervise. It will prevent the bad habit of urinating anywhere in your home and provide a safe space for the dog. The wire crate is commonly in use. It allows the dog to see what’s going around. Dogs must get familiar with the crate with positive reinforcement like rewarding for going inside by themselves, keeping toys in the crate, and giving a treat for good behavior. If the accidents still occur after the training, it may be due to excitement or submissive behavior. 

Leash Training: A dog must learn how to walk on a leash. Learn how to introduce a leash to your dog by rewarding him. A leash walk teaches the dog not to pull or swoop when on the leash. This training makes the walk enjoyable for both the dog and the owner. Through dog training tips you can help your dog to overcome leash reactivity.

Socialization: Dogs must learn how to socialize with new people, places, and other pets. Dogs must go to new places. Socialization also helps to prevent the development of fears and phobias. Socialization makes dogs happier and well-behaved. Socialized dogs do not develop behavior problems and are welcomed by all. 

Clicker Training: It is a form of positive reinforcement. This training uses a clicker, a metal strip inside a plastic box that makes a clicking sound. It is a faster and more effective way than training with treats alone. Dogs must get familiar with the click by giving a treat immediately after clicking.

Basic Commands: There are basic dog training commands that every dog should learn like speak, come and sit. These commands are helpful to avoid dog behavior problems.

Proof Behaviours: This training is practicing behaviors in different situations with distractions. Sometimes, your pet follows your commands in the living room in which room pet is trained but doesn’t abide in the kitchen. This training helps the pet to abide by your instructions in all situations. 

There are several options available for dog trainers at Mt Shasta, California. One can find a suitable dog trainer. Hope this article will be useful for you to know how and when to start training your dogs. If you have found this article helpful then share this article and stay connected to Primal Needs.