Effective Tips on Training Your Dog - By: Lewis Sheats and Chris Newton

Much like you teach your children how to behave and what to do in certain situations, it is not that much different for your pet either. A young puppy will always be full of frisky energy and over enthusiasm that could get him into trouble. From climbing up on to beds, chewing your shoes, barking unnecessarily, messing up the room or even straying off from home, training your dog is essential in handling such behavioral problems. A well-trained pet will soon be able to understand basic instructions and respond immediately when called – all imperative when raising a happy healthy pet.

It is never too late to start training your dog but experts do say that the ideal time to start imbibing good behavior patterns is between six to eight weeks of age. As always the earlier you start, the more effective the teaching. When you decide to begin training your pet, also keep in mind his temperament. Some breeds are fussier than others while some might be more boisterous and unmanageable. Read up on your particular breed in order to understand why your dog behaves in a particular fashion and what to expect. This will allow you to be realistic when it comes to training your pet.

Any teaching process involves the attention of the person or in this case the animal. If your dog is not paying attention to you, no matter how many times you teach him something or ask for something, it will all be in vain. The first trick to training your dog is to catch his attention with a small treat. Once he is listening to you, you can start on simple commands such as “Sit,” “Down,” “Roll Over,” and “Stay.” Once these are mastered, you could move on to more complex directions such as “Fetch.” Repetition is the key to success in training your pet but it is also necessary to limit your training time to fifteen minutes a day initially. The place should be distraction free and quiet so that your dog’s attention stays firmly fixed on you. As your pet masters the commands one by one, treat him with his favorite food, a pet or a hug or even a walk. Reward and positive reinforcement is the key to motivating your pet. When he earns a treat or receives love, he will want to repeat his actions and perform a particular command. If he roams away or resists any instructions, persevere nonetheless. You will need a whole load of patience when training your pet and giving up mid-way accomplishes nothing – for the both of you. Needless to say, until he starts obeying your commands, you cannot give him what he desires. Consistency is therefore the key to the effective training of your dog.

One of the biggest problems with pet dogs is their love of exploring and roaming. Unsupervised roaming is dangerous to your dog’s life and safety and should be tackled immediately. In addition to this, a roaming dog is also a public nuisance, so make sure that he is supervised at all times. Restricting your dog’s movements is in effect fighting his natural instincts. He is genuinely unable to resist the urge to chase cats, follow other dogs and explore new smells and sounds. In order to keep him safe at home, you will need to provide your pet with alternate forms of entertainment. Pack the day with daily exercise, training sessions, playtime, and food time and your dog will lose the urge to run off and look elsewhere. A dog stuck at home is also a bored and restless dog, so ensure that he gets the chance to interact with other dogs at a local park or in the neighborhood as well. If your dog is well exercised and happy, chances are that he will stay at home contentedly.

As an added safety measure, make your home escape-proof by making sure your fence is tall and sturdy enough, gates are locked and that there is an adequate play area for him to work out all his excess energy. If his space and surroundings make him feel secure and relaxed, the odds of him running away or straying are less. Another excellent way of keeping track of your dog at all times is to invest in a dog tracking collar such as the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator. Using satellite signals and Google Map technology, the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator can help you track your dog’s movements around the clock. You can create specified safe zones such as your yard, or the local dog park. If and when he moves out of these safe spots, you will be notified by text of email. The SpotLight comes fitted with an LED beacon for greater visibility at night and is durable and water-resistant. By monitoring your pet’s movements, you are assured if his safety and security at all times. Keeping track of your pet is now easier than ever before with the SpotLight GPS Pet Locator.

About the Author

This article is Co-authored by Chris Newton & Lewis Sheats, from Securus, Inc. For more information about GPS Pet Tracking System, visit http://www.spotlightgps.com/.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Lewis-Sheats-and-Chris-Newton/101017

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