Ready to begin your life as a paw parent? It’s not enough that you’ve finally found the kind of pup you want after months of scouring local shelters. The real challenge is to groom him into the amiable furry friend you’ve been yearning for all along. How do you tame his raw canine instincts and set him up for a lifetime of good behavior? It’s clear that you could use a few in-home dog training tips.
Set the Rules
This is best done before bringing your new pup home; have a sit-down with your household and decide on what he (the pup) is/isn’t allowed to do. Will he have his own furniture? Are some parts of the house off-limits? Or perhaps there’s no problem with him settling wherever he pleases?
Setting rules early on will help cultivate cordial relationships between your pup and the rest of your household. It’ll also allow you to establish the right training routine.
Teach Him to Come When Called
A good rule of thumb is to start on a leash in a quiet area; call out your pup’s name with an enthusiastic voice while keeping your body language relaxed and open. Use phrases like “yes!” and “good boy” to cheer him on once he starts heading towards you. Offer a reward when he finally gets there.
Start increasing the distance between the two of you once your pup fully grasps the command. Train him to respond even when he’s busy with something interesting. Practice in many different situations for proper reinforcement.
Reward Good Behavior
Showering your mutt with treats, toys, or praise whenever he gets something right is what’s known as positive reinforcement. Canines have a natural instinct to please, so positive reinforcement is arguably the most effective way to turn an untrained dog into a loyal, responsive pup. However, it does require a high degree of consistency to produce results — bad habits should never be rewarded under any circumstance. Instead, they must be banished promptly. And that brings us to the next point…
Stick to Dog Time
Dogs live in the present; they can only associate their actions with consequences if the latter is immediate. Reprimanding your mutt for something bad he did 20, 5, or even 3 minutes ago won’t make any sense (at least not to him). So never dish out punishments retroactively — only do it when you catch him in the act. Likewise, rewards need to be immediate in order to reinforce positive behavior.
Keep it Positive
There’s a good chance that your furry mate will disappoint you at one point. So it helps to maintain a positive attitude right from the start. And you could always turn to a in-home dog training if your own efforts fail to bear fruit.