Before you let a new dog enter your home, dog behavior training should begin.
It is important to let your new puppy or adult dog know that you are the leader.
It's a good idea to take the new pet for a walk around the neighborhood before coming into the house.
Then you should enter the home first, since it is your home and you are the leader.
You should always enter first.
This sends them a subtle message.
It should be the same with food.
You should eat first, and then your dog.
The leader of the pack always eats first.
Any pet that does not have good dog behavior training will not be a pleasant member of the family.
You will be frustrated, and they will pick up on that frustration.
When training your dog, be consistent.
You can't let your dog do something one day, and then expect your dog to know it's wrong the next.
That just leads to confusion.
Take something like getting up on the furniture.
If you don't want the dog on the bed, everyone else in the household must also follow that rule, or the dog will not understand what is going on.
Dog behavior training works best when you stay calm.
If you get upset and excited, the dog will also.
Stay calm and avoid yelling and never hit your dog.
Using treats as a training aid is much more beneficial.
You want your dog to respect you as the leader.
You do not want your dog to fear you.
Keep training sessions short.
Fifteen minutes is long enough.
Keep it at the same time each day and eventually your dog will learn to understand what you want.
Keep adding new activities to your dog's training.
This will keep their mind stimulated.
Provide adequate play time as well.
Dogs need to play and also need to be walked.
This keeps them from getting bored.
When a dog is bored, they get into more trouble.
If they don't have things to do and toys to play with, they may decide your couch cushion is the perfect chew toy.
Once your dog is out of the puppy stage, that doesn't mean your work is done.
Too often once a dog is not a puppy any longer, people feel that they don't have to spend so much time with them.
That is far from true.
Your dog always needs you to spend time with him and teach him things.
Dog behavior training is the best way to show love for your four legged family member.
And it will make them a much more enjoyable part of the family.