At-Home Dog Training Tips

<h1>At-Home Dog Training Tips</h1>

by Ben Euporian

<div align=justify>When professional training is not a good option for you - either because of cost or time - there are techniques that you can use at home to train your dog to do just about anything you want him to. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are wondering how you will train your new pet:
- Determine the ground rules before you begin training. One of the common hang ups that people experience with dog training is not deciding in advance which behaviors they will or will not tolerate. For example, some people will let their new puppy nap on the sofa but decide later that they don’t want dog hair on the furniture. They then need to re-train their dog that getting onto the sofa is not allowed. Make a list of the behaviors you don’t want to see, and you will have a better idea of where to begin. It is always ok to reverse a behavior, but is easier for you and your dog if you set the rules at the beginning and don’t change them in the middle of the game.
- Use a short leash for training purposes. Leashes come in many different lengths, some reach up to 100 feet or more. However, when you are training your dog, you should always use a leash that is around 6 foot long and comes with a loop that you can slip your hand through, wrapping it around your fingers to ensure that the dog doesn’t get away from you. When your dog is on your left side, keep the leash in front of you with the loop around your right hand. This will help you to keep the leash short and to maintain control.
- Never use a training technique that is not natural and comfortable for you. If you are using a technique that does not come naturally, your dog will sense your hesitation as quickly as he will sense fear or anxiety. This can lead to your dog ignoring any commands given and cause frustration for both of you. Therefore, work to find techniques that you understand and feel comfortable with before starting to train your dog.
- Be kind and gentle for best results. An owner who constantly punishes his or her dog for bad behaviors is bound to be a lot less successful than an owner who is gentle and kind, rewarding his or her dog for acceptable behaviors. Consider offering your dog plenty of praise, and be gentle when redirecting his attention from a bad behavior to one that is more acceptable to you.
- See yourself as the team leader during training. You are not the only one responsible for successful training sessions. If you see yourself and your dog as a team in training, you will be much more successful than if you assume the burden of all responsibility. You need to be aware of everything that goes on during training, because you are the leader. However, realize that your dog must be a willing participant for training to succeed.
- Train your dog to stop barking unnecessarily. When your dog is outside, does he bark continuously at everything that moves? If you want to stop this behavior, consider a bark-control collar. This handy device issues tones for both approval and disapproval from a special collar that can be controlled from a distance. You will find that the feedback mechanism will quickly help your dog to become independent enough to be left alone outside without constant supervision.
When you are consistent and fair with your dog, you will find that it is possible to train him to do just about anything you would like. As you see from the information above, there are small tricks that you can use to make training easier and more fun for you and your dog. Don’t forget to limit your training to short periods, taking time in between to play and just relax together. And, the most important thing you can do is to reward your dog for a job well done!</div>

Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/PetsLivestockWildlife/Training-Pets/article-85868.html">ArticlePros.com</a>
 
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		About the author
		Ben Euporian of <a href="http://www.omsho.com/">Omsho.com</a> makes it easy to learn from dog training experts. For details, visit this site now: 
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