It is necessary to train a puppy from the very moment it appears in the house, and it is important to correctly approach the practices, taking into account the mood of the dog.
General rules for self-training
It is necessary to educate and teach a puppy to the rules of behavior in the house from the first moment of his appearance in the apartment. Training can begin with three months, following the recommended training procedure. But if the moment has been missed, the dog has matured and does not perform the basic set of commands, it is necessary to organize training according to the level of development of the pet.
Remember that you can train a dog of any breed, regardless of age. However, the training of an adult animal will take much longer.
In addition, before learning, it is necessary to wean the pet from old habits. These are the basic rules that must be followed.
There are also some important recommendations:
- pet must be encouraged;
- the owner must show the hardness of character during training, not going over to aggressive behavior;
- it is necessary to find an individual approach to the pet, to study its character.
In this case, one lesson with a pet should not last more than an hour, and it is better to divide this time into several approaches with a short break.
Preparation for training
At the first lesson the owner needs a collar, a leash and a favorite delicacy. And as a place for dog training, a deserted area familiar to a dog is ideal. Also during training, the owner should be left alone with the pet to avoid distractions.
If the owner has chosen an unfamiliar area, you need to give your pet time to sniff the surrounding space well, so that he is convinced that there is no danger.
It is necessary to stock up on your favorite pet delicacy. Being able to get him motivated the dog to obey and execute commands. You can take dry food with you, because it is comfortable to wear, it does not stain clothes. If the pet does not want to execute commands in exchange for food, purchase special cookies for dogs at the store.
Time for training needs to be chosen according to their plans. But it is not recommended to conduct classes in the middle of the day in the summer. If this is the only time available, you cannot do without a good supply of water.
Basic commands you can teach the dog
You need to start training from simple to complex: first learn the simplest commands, then move on to those that dogs do not understand from the first training session.
"To me"
The most important team, which in many cases can save the life of a pet. At first it is pronounced when the puppy runs to the owner, then it is used to attract a treat or toy.
For the first time, the command "to me" is given from a short distance, for example, over 2 meters. When the animal understands what's what, you can gradually increase the distance in order to achieve the execution of the command, even when the dog is in another room and does not see the person. To call a dog you need a firm and calm, positive voice.
Never call a dog if you are going to do something unpleasant for it, such as scolding or shorn claws.
"Sit"
Another mandatory team. It can be used instead of "standing" if you want to stop the pet. However, a lot depends on the breed. For example, when training hunting dogs, the “stand” command is necessarily studied, but for domestic “residents” it is enough to “sit”.
For the first time, the team is pronounced, having caught the moment when the puppy tries to sit on its own, and then repeat it several times. After this, it is required to complicate the task in order to teach the dog to sit down on command, that is, when it hears a voice and sees the master's gesture, for example, a palm raised vertically.
Clamp a delicacy between your fingers and show it to your dog, stretch your hand forward a little so that the animal does not reach for a snack. Simultaneously pronounce "sit." Perhaps your pet will try to jump to the hand, it will turn at its feet, wag its tail. Stand a monument, without changing the position and not moving.
When the dog gets tired of asking for it, it will sit in front of you, that is, it will execute the command. Be sure to praise your pet and give him a treat.
Also at home you can explore the commands: "voice", "barrier", "aport" and others. If you need to educate the future guard or hunter, it is recommended to contact a professional - if there are mistakes in training, they will be very difficult to correct.
Other important teams include:
- "Barrier". Create an obstacle that can be overcome by a dog, for example, from a soft cushion, stool, etc. Play with the dog, tease it with the help of a tweeter, a treat. Then run your hand over the obstacle to induce the dog to jump over it and say a “barrier” when jumping. When the dog does, be sure to praise him.
- "Vote". When the dog bark, say "voice". You can additionally provoke your pet by slamming the door, with loud music - the stimuli are selected individually, just watch the pet. After the first few workouts, you need to gradually stop using stimuli - the dog must give a voice to your team.
- "Aport". "Aport" is considered one of the most difficult teams. Say "aport", open the pet's jaws, gently put a toy into the teeth. Hold the jaw palm, wait 2 minutes, say "give" and take the toy. When the dog learns to take the toy on command itself, you need to put it further and further, and then throw it away so that the pet brings the necessary thing.
Training features
Small dogs
Pet breeds of small breeds are easier to train, because for them the full set of official teams is not required. But such pets like to run headlong, so first of all you need to master the command “to me”. This will prevent the pet from escaping over long distances. Small dogs often enjoy the love of their owners and just "sit on their heads." For this reason, be sure to learn the command "place".
Hunting dog
Classes with such dogs has its own nuances. The owner will have some time to suppress some of the features of the pet. You also need to carefully and conscientiously train the dog. At the age of six months to 9 months, the hunting dog is trained in basic teams, then they start learning special commands.
If the dog does not obey
Often there are situations when the animal does not want to obey or start training, does not respond to the requirements of the owner, refuses delicacy. In this case, you need a little patting pet by the scruff or with austerity pull up the collar.
The dog must be made to understand that the leader is the owner. However, when working with breeds such as stuff or Doberman, problems may arise. Also remember that aggression towards the pet is contraindicated. The owner must be persistent, consistent.
Attachment to the elements of the ammunition
Attaching a dog to a leash and collar is recommended from 2 months. It is much easier to adapt to unusual objects of ammunition during this period. Put them on the puppy after they met him.
In the first times it needs to be done for 2-3 minutes, while distracting the pet with games or treats. Training sessions should be short-lived, but on a regular basis. Before you accustom the dog to the leash, you need to introduce her to the collar. When the puppy gets used to the need of wearing a collar and will normally perceive it, you can proceed to the leash.
At the same time it is necessary to provide free drooping to distract the four-legged friend.
It is also important to teach a puppy to its place, starting training from an early age - it will be difficult to teach this adult pet, it will take a lot of time.
The task of the owner - the organization of the right place. For this you can use a pillow, a rug, a soft house. A puppy is introduced to his place in advance. After falling asleep every time you carry the baby there. At the same time in the place where the pet will sleep and rest, it is impossible to carry out procedures that provoke the animal, leave in the memory of the pet negative memories, for example, combing, cleaning ears, cutting nails.
All toys after the games must be returned to this corner. Try to convince your four-legged friend that this space is the most comfortable and safe in the apartment, belongs only to him.
If you plan to keep your dog in outdoor conditions, you need to teach him to the booth. Do not immediately put the dog on target. First, give him the opportunity to independently experience the new habitat conditions, get used to them. You also can not immediately close the puppy or adult dog inside the booth.
This may cause a fear of dark space. Pick and suitable weather conditions. For example, teach your puppy to go inside the booth when it is pouring rain.
And remember that a delicacy and affection (stroking, calm tone) will help your puppy to settle faster.
A few recommendations for training
The success of training depends on a number of factors.
Motivation
To the dog with pleasure included in the process of training, you need to interest her. Therefore, each correct execution of the team should be rewarded with affection or delicacy. Moreover, it is important to give encouragement in the form of delicacy or praise only after the team is fully executed, but immediately. If you delay with the treat, the animal simply will not be able to associate this performed action with praise, so the effect of fixing the command will not be. If the dog did not complete the command to the end and receives a reward before this point, it will also fail to execute the commands correctly.
Negative motivation can be used only in case of suppression of undesirable or dangerous behavior of the dog. For example, if your dog didn’t immediately execute the command, was distracted or executed, but after a couple of minutes, you can’t blame the dog in any way. In the opposite case, the pet will begin to accept this as curbing unwanted behavior and will no longer be suitable at all.
Animal readiness for work
In order for classes to be productive, the following factors are taken into account:
- The animal should experience a little hunger. This will force him to try his workouts to get a treat. With a full stomach, there will be no motivation for the dog, moreover, active exercises after a meal can cause a bowel movement.
- Before class, take a walk with your pet to go to the toilet, because the natural processes distract the animal from training.
- Favorable weather conditions. If the weather is very hot outside, transfer the training to the early morning, there should not be a scorching sun. In the opposite case, the animal will become lethargic, will not concentrate. It is also not recommended to engage with a pet in the rain, as the animal will be distracted by new smells.
External stimuli
They should be introduced gradually as commands are learned. It is better to conduct the first classes in a quiet place away from people, roads, places of walking other animals. And at the beginning you can try to give commands at home.
Mood of the host
When training it is necessary to have a calm and benevolent tone, even if your pet is not able to do something time after time. The negative reaction of the owner can discourage the dog desire to continue. The more you get mad at him, the more confused he is. Be sure to revise your technique, maybe you are acting in such a way that the dog unknowingly makes mistakes.
