SIMPLE TIPS FOR TRAINING YOUR NEW DOG
Lisa G. Claycomb
November 05, 2009
If you have adopted a dog and found that it is not quite as well trained as you would like, there is hope for you. It is relatively simple to take an unruly, ill mannered dog and train it to be a wonderful house pet. There are just a few things you´ll need to do to make this transition happen.
First and foremost, consistency is the key. Everyone in the household must be on board with the training and be consistent when giving commands. The second most important thing is tone of voice. The trainer´s tone of voice must accurately communicate the pleasure or displeasure of the trainer. A cheery, playful tone communicates that you are pleased with the dog´s behavior and a harsher, sterner tone communicates displeasure. Your tone doesn´t need to be threatening, but it does need to communicate that you are unhappy. It is not necessary to yell at the dog.
One of the most noticeable problems can be that the dog jumps up on people. When this happens, lift your knee into the dog´s chest, push him away and tell him "no" in a tone of voice that communicates your displeasure. You must do this each and every time the dog jumps up on you, no exceptions.
Basic commands are next on the list. "Sit", "come", "lie down" and "stay" are the ones you should work on first. Work with them all at the same time, while also selecting one on which to have a more concentrated focus. Spend 10 to 15 minutes per day working exclusively on that one command. Have some small treats available to reward the dog for compliance with your commands. Your cheery, playful tone of voice is also a reward for the dog.
"Sit" is probably the easiest to focus on first. For the exclusive training, take the dog to a place where he won´t be distracted. Give the command "sit" and then gently guide the dog´s hind end into the sitting position and tell him "good sit" in your cheery, playful tone of voice. Continue to practice this command for the duration of the 10 to 15 minute period while also petting him and playing with him a little bit. Reward him with treats intermittently when he performs the command, even if you had to push him into the desired position. If he refuses to perform the command, express your displeasure by saying "no" in your harsher tone of voice. It shouldn´t take more than a few days for the dog to learn this command.
Repeat this exclusive training with the dog using a new command when the dog has learned the one you´re working on. When you work on the "come" command and the dog does not come to you, go and get him and bring him to the place you called him from and tell him "good come". Each time the dog does not come when you give him the command, you must go and get him. Again, everyone in the household must do this as consistency is the key.
The "lie down" command is relatively easy and is much like the "sit" command. After giving the command, gently guide the dog´s body into the lying down position. Tell the dog "good lie down", sometimes coupled with a treat. Be sure to express your displeasure by telling the dog "no" in the harsher tone if he doesn´t comply.
The "stay" command is probably the most difficult because it can be hard to get the dog not to come with you when you start to walk away. Work on short distances first and progress to greater ones as the dog begins to learn. Tell the dog "good stay" to reinforce the desired behavior. Tell him "no" if he follows you.
To keep the dog under control in the house and prevent potty training accidents, put a blanket down in the spot where you wish the dog to lie down. You´ll want the dog to be near a family member at all times when in the house, at least initially. Have the dog lie down on the blanket and attach a leash to his collar with the other end attached to some part of your body. In the event that you are unable to pay constant attention to the dog, you will be alerted by a tug on the leash if the dog tries to leave the area. Keeping the dog near you in this manner will help you bond with the dog, prevent the dog from chewing furniture or ruining other items in your home, and decrease the likelihood of potty training accidents. Once the dog is trained in the basic commands, the leash will no longer be needed in the house. Leash training the dog outside the home is also highly recommended.
Last but not least, crate train your dog in your bedroom with you, if possible. A crate is like the dog´s den and the dog will be comfortable in the crate, especially if you spread out a blanket or comforter inside. Having the dog in a crate will prevent nighttime wandering and potty training accidents. Crate training will also allow you to sleep well while not having to worry about what your dog might be doing elsewhere in your house.
Using the above techniques on a consistent basis will help you transition your new dog from an unruly, ill mannered animal to a wonderful household pet. Remember, your dog wants to please you and the best way to allow him to do that is to show him what you expect and give him the training he needs to comply. Applying these simple principles will allow you to enjoy many pleasant years with your well behaved dog.
First and foremost, consistency is the key. Everyone in the household must be on board with the training and be consistent when giving commands. The second most important thing is tone of voice. The trainer´s tone of voice must accurately communicate the pleasure or displeasure of the trainer. A cheery, playful tone communicates that you are pleased with the dog´s behavior and a harsher, sterner tone communicates displeasure. Your tone doesn´t need to be threatening, but it does need to communicate that you are unhappy. It is not necessary to yell at the dog.
One of the most noticeable problems can be that the dog jumps up on people. When this happens, lift your knee into the dog´s chest, push him away and tell him "no" in a tone of voice that communicates your displeasure. You must do this each and every time the dog jumps up on you, no exceptions.
Basic commands are next on the list. "Sit", "come", "lie down" and "stay" are the ones you should work on first. Work with them all at the same time, while also selecting one on which to have a more concentrated focus. Spend 10 to 15 minutes per day working exclusively on that one command. Have some small treats available to reward the dog for compliance with your commands. Your cheery, playful tone of voice is also a reward for the dog.
"Sit" is probably the easiest to focus on first. For the exclusive training, take the dog to a place where he won´t be distracted. Give the command "sit" and then gently guide the dog´s hind end into the sitting position and tell him "good sit" in your cheery, playful tone of voice. Continue to practice this command for the duration of the 10 to 15 minute period while also petting him and playing with him a little bit. Reward him with treats intermittently when he performs the command, even if you had to push him into the desired position. If he refuses to perform the command, express your displeasure by saying "no" in your harsher tone of voice. It shouldn´t take more than a few days for the dog to learn this command.
Repeat this exclusive training with the dog using a new command when the dog has learned the one you´re working on. When you work on the "come" command and the dog does not come to you, go and get him and bring him to the place you called him from and tell him "good come". Each time the dog does not come when you give him the command, you must go and get him. Again, everyone in the household must do this as consistency is the key.
The "lie down" command is relatively easy and is much like the "sit" command. After giving the command, gently guide the dog´s body into the lying down position. Tell the dog "good lie down", sometimes coupled with a treat. Be sure to express your displeasure by telling the dog "no" in the harsher tone if he doesn´t comply.
The "stay" command is probably the most difficult because it can be hard to get the dog not to come with you when you start to walk away. Work on short distances first and progress to greater ones as the dog begins to learn. Tell the dog "good stay" to reinforce the desired behavior. Tell him "no" if he follows you.
To keep the dog under control in the house and prevent potty training accidents, put a blanket down in the spot where you wish the dog to lie down. You´ll want the dog to be near a family member at all times when in the house, at least initially. Have the dog lie down on the blanket and attach a leash to his collar with the other end attached to some part of your body. In the event that you are unable to pay constant attention to the dog, you will be alerted by a tug on the leash if the dog tries to leave the area. Keeping the dog near you in this manner will help you bond with the dog, prevent the dog from chewing furniture or ruining other items in your home, and decrease the likelihood of potty training accidents. Once the dog is trained in the basic commands, the leash will no longer be needed in the house. Leash training the dog outside the home is also highly recommended.
Last but not least, crate train your dog in your bedroom with you, if possible. A crate is like the dog´s den and the dog will be comfortable in the crate, especially if you spread out a blanket or comforter inside. Having the dog in a crate will prevent nighttime wandering and potty training accidents. Crate training will also allow you to sleep well while not having to worry about what your dog might be doing elsewhere in your house.
Using the above techniques on a consistent basis will help you transition your new dog from an unruly, ill mannered animal to a wonderful household pet. Remember, your dog wants to please you and the best way to allow him to do that is to show him what you expect and give him the training he needs to comply. Applying these simple principles will allow you to enjoy many pleasant years with your well behaved dog.