What you need to know about training your dog

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By Eileen Hughes

What you need to know Before Training your Dog

Obedience training is very important for both the puppy and the owner. If he is well trained and obedient, you will all be happier.

You should start training your puppy when he is about 2 - 6 months old. Do not growl or punish him until he is at least 4 months old, because he will not understand. They are very playful and that is how you need to make his training.

In the beginning, keep his training to approximately fifteen minutes each time, three or four times a week. If he loses interest, stop the training and play with him. Do not let him become bored, because he will lose interest and will not learn anything.

Equipment and training techniques

Training requires a lot of patience, a sense of humor and understanding of your dog's behavior. There are several ways of achieving their training. Some prefer group training, or private lessons or you can train your own dog. I prefer to train my own dogs. Group training is good as they learn how to behave with other dogs and will not be so bad when they meet other dogs while out exercising in the street. The choice of course is up to the individual preference.

The Choker chain is ideal to use for obedience training. The normal leash you use may be leather or a chain with leather handle. The personal choice or preference is yours.You will need a choker chain, or collar and a leash. For treats, I prefer to use small pieces of dog food cut up into very small pieces, plus some small biscuits that do not require much chewing. I use these as rewards when he has done well.

I am using my Blue Heeler dog, Titan to explain my actions here. The most important thing in training is to be consistent. If, I allow Titan on my bed today then I yell at him for getting on the bed the next day, he will be confused and not understand what he is doing wrong. Your dog should enjoy his lessons. Then he will look forward to each lesson as much as when you take him for a walk.

 Do not allow your dog to sit or beg at the table for food. Leave him outside while eating food at the table or make him lie down. It is very important to have control over your dog. He needs to sit on command, before you cross the road, and before he gets a treat or gets into the car. When a dog is sitting and under control, he cannot cause any trouble to anyone.

He needs to learn how to walk on a leash on your left side without pulling on the lead. Another important part of his training is to teach him to come when you call him not at his leisure. It could save his life one day.

 When I take Titan for a walk and we come to a road I tell him to sit, then when road is clear I say ok. Also when going to the park I make sure I carry a ball in the car. I throw it and when he brings it back, I make sure he gives it to me, not drops it on the ground. Sometimes, I make him sit and drop down, and then I say stay and I walk about 20 feet away and turn to him then throw the ball and say ok. This way you are teaching him control. If another dog arrives, you should still have the same control.

Behavior

Dogs can be very unpredictable. Keep in mind it is not only your dog's behaviour, which you need to consider because you may come across an aggressive dog, so beware at all times.

Should an excited dog run onto the road he needs to learn to stop or stay on your command or whistle? This training could prevent a car from hitting him or worse cause his death.

 

House Training your puppy

 

A crate similar to the one above is ideal. You can cover and enclose it, also line it with a blanket. There are many varieties of beds for your dog.

When you bring a young pup into your home, you need to prevent little accidents before they happen. If you have a dog crate then you can put him in that to sleep, feed and rest. Place his food and drink inside this. He may not like it at first, but he will soon know he is safe in there out of reach of the boisterous children or the mischievous cat.

You need to be very patient; spend time watching him closely, in the first few weeks as puppies have a limited bladder control. Therefore, it is up to you to take him out to do his business as soon as he wakes, about fifteen-twenty minutes after he has eaten and before he goes to bed. If you see him sniffing around, he is probably looking for a suitable place to relieve himself. Do not wait until it is too late.

Carry your pup outside and put him on the lawn each time so he becomes used to doing his business in that area. If you let him walk, he may relieve himself before he gets there. Tell him "go toilet." (Or decide on a name for this purpose) When he goes, praise him in a light happy voice. Be repetitive, he will soon understand that he has done something good and you are pleased. It is a good idea to wait for him to do a bowel movement, even if it means you have to wait a little longer. You could make him walk around a bit to encourage him to go.

If he cries at night, try placing a small clock in his bed or crate for the first few nights. This works similar to that of the mothers' heartbeat.

Many people use old newspapers to lay on the floor while at work. I suppose that is ok when you are not at home, but that will make your job of housetraining so much harder and take longer. Using papers will undo the good of taking him outside on the grass.

Always clean up your doggy poo. A clean yard helps you to check on the health of your dog. Firm and dry poo is good whereas sloppy ones could mean worms, stress, or an upset digestive system.

 

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Comments

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes Hub Author 5 months ago

Skippideedee, All puppies bite when young as they are more playful and their teeth are so sharp too.

I would try clapping your hands to distract him. Give him toys that he can chew like kong toys, or put a ball on a piece of elastic similar to those used on that tennis game.

They need to keep active and use up some energy.

Also when he's about 6 months take him to obedience training. You can growl at them using a deeper voice when he does something wrong. But remember to pat him and say good boy when doing the right thing so he learns the difference

Skippideedee 5 months ago

Hi, I bought a 2month old blue heeler just last week. He's been biting alot and has become increasingly aggressive with these bites too. Do you have any tips to train him to stop this? Thanks in advance!

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes Hub Author 2 years ago

Pimp, thats why you train your dog correctly to avoid things like that from happening.

pimp t 2 years ago

what if your dog gets killed by the other dog?

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes Hub Author 3 years ago

c.ferreira you are so right and it takes a lot of patience

C.Ferreira profile image

C.Ferreira 3 years ago

Nice Hub! I just got my puppy a few weeks ago and have been training him ever since. (he was 8 months when i got him) I have to agree that consistency is key. Without it, training your dog will feel like pulling teeth!

eileen hughes 3 years ago

Alan hobson, I only used it while training my dog. That would have been an interesting challenge training them. I love those dogs. Thanks for stopping by

Alan Hobson 3 years ago

When taking a dog for a walk it should be ralaxed and not in training all the time. I am a former police dog trainer/handler and in Western Australia I trained dogs for film and commercials. I also did dog training programmes for ABC Television years ago. Please never use the word choker chain the word is check chain and it should never be used unless training to emit a quick check to correct or press home a command then released.

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes Hub Author 4 years ago

Oscar, I agree that people just do not use their head when purchasing a dog. They buy on a whim, I want, I want. They do not care about the pet they are buying or what that dog my need and what it needs on a daily basis, some dogs need clipping and that is not cheap. some just need a bath and a brush.

But thats life. Some people cant look after their own children so what hope has a dog or cat got.

Oscar Jones 4 years ago

Hi, great hub, great information. I just wish that prospective dog owners would take the time and invest in some pre-purchase training so that they understood how dogs think and what is required of them to become "pack leader" and form the required social hierachy to ensure that any problems are kept to a minimum with their new dog. I realise dogs are pets but you also have to treat them as a dog not another person and therefore you need to realise how they think and operate in their world.

Regards

Oscar

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes Hub Author 4 years ago

Thank you so much for those kind words. I would love to come to America, BUT I hate flying. My husband has always wanted to go there too. The furtherest I have flown is to Bali. And thats the closest place in a plane...... Errrrr...Thats me though. I wish I wasnt scared up there.

I saw a movie years ago where the guy got knocked out each time he flew, thats what I need. Hope you have a great Xmas and new year. Thanks again and write more hubs.

Caregiver-007 profile image

Caregiver-007 4 years ago

I've really enjoyed all your dog and bird Hub articles, Eileen. Wish I could get to Australia and meet you in person! If you are ever headed to the Southeastern United States, please let me know and perhaps we can meet. Still, distance has nothing to do with friendship, and I look forward to a long and wonderful one of sharing.

Thank you for your comments on my CaregiverBurnout Hub article, too. I hope my response to you there will send people your way, to your great dog Hubs!

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes Hub Author 4 years ago

No it is not hard. Believe me, you just need to be consistant and firm with your puppy. Although Like I said they need play time too. I am going to do one on the actual training very soon. Thanks for your comments.

http://hubpages.com/_30qckaz1z7h2s/hub/Choosing-yo

cgull8m profile image

cgull8m 4 years ago

Great hub. I plan to have a dog very soon hopefully from a dog shelter. These tips are very helpful, I also hopefully plan to take my dog to an obedience school. Before I thought it should be easy, but it looks complex. Thanks.

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