Training Techniques for Dogs

Try to maintain a steady routine while training your dog.

Many dog owners understand what it is like to come home to chewed-up shoes or pee on the floor. Dogs sometimes chew on their owners' furniture or clothing, go to the bathroom in the house or bark at other dogs or people, especially when they enter a new environment. Training your dog at an early age can help to overcome some of the obedience issues that you experience with it. Although you may feel frustrated at times, training your dog can help him to learn to behave.

Things You'll Need

• Crate or pet carrier
• Treats
• Command words
• Backyard or park
• Toys
• Training class

Instructions

Dog Training

1. Start training your dog in basic skills, such as going outside to go to the bathroom, from the first day that you get it. Keep your dog in a crate or pet carrier during the day, or when you are away, while it learns how to go to the bathroom in the backyard, on a pee pad or in a litter box. During crate training, take your dog out of the crate at specific times each day. Reward her with treats, playtime or affectionate gestures when she follows your commands.

2. Work on getting your dog to follow basic commands, such as coming when called, sitting and lying down, at the same time you house-train it. Use positive reinforcement and commands to communicate with your dog. Maintain consistent methods while teaching your dog so he understands what behavior does and doesn't meet your approval, states the "Dog Breed Info Center."

3. Socialize your dog with other dogs so it can learn certain behaviors, such as refraining from biting or barking at other dogs or humans and walking on a leash. Try to take your dog to different environments, including parks, so it can learn to deal with contrasting levels of noise, according to an article by Danel Estep and Suzanne Hetts for the "Partnership for Animal Welfare."

4. Train your dog in more advanced commands, such as rolling over, playing dead and chasing a ball, after it understands how to perform basic commands. Establish two or three short sessions everyday or every other day to work on these skills. After saying a command, give your dog time to perform the action and try again if he does not respond after about two minutes, according to Petplace.com.

5. Start training your dog in more advanced skills such as agility training. If you want to train your dog for agility shows, consider taking it to a training class. Going to a class to work with your dog on more advanced skills, such as jumping over hurdles, can be beneficial because you have a trainer and equipment at your disposal, according to Petplace.com.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your dog a reward quickly after it performs a command so she understands what action is worthy of the reward, states Petplace.com.

• At first, train your dog in a quiet environment, such as a backyard, so noises do not distract him from listening to you.

• Do not place your dog in the crate to punish it for bad behavior or leave it in the crate too long because it might develop physical or mental problems, according to the "Humane Society of the United States."

• Do not use negative reinforcement methods, such as spanking your dog, when he does not follow your command because he will likely not associate your punishment with a failure to perform an action, according to the "Dog Breed Info Center."

References

• Dog Breed Info Center: Training Your New Dog or Puppy
• Partnership for Animal Welfare: Socializing Adult Dogs and the Meaning of Maintaining Socalization
• Petplace.com: 12 General Rules for Training Dogs
• Petplace.com: The Importance of Training Your Dog to Be Obedient
• Humane Society of the United States: Crate Training

Resources

• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Dr. P's Dog Training
• K9web.com: Training Your Dog
• Dog-obedience-training-review.com: How to Train a Puppy Yourself at Home
• Dogplay.com: Behavior, Socialization, and Training
• Perfect Paws: Crate Training a Puppy or Adult Dog