Dog Training
It is important for you to train your dog to perform correct
behaviours so that both of you can maintain a happy
relationship. It is important for you as an owner to be the
boss. If the dog thinks he is higher than you, he will not obey
you and may perhaps even perform aggressive behaviours. The more
that your dog respects you the more likely he will pursue your
wishes.
During your dog's first weeks, how you treat him will impact on
where he sees his place in the family hierarchy. Where your dog
sleeps it must be at equal footing to you. They have trouble
accepting a sleeping area that is not near you. Feeding time
should be after the family as the dog must realize its place in
the family hierarchy. Dogs should be kept out of children's
bedrooms and should not be allowed to take their food.
Establishing a toilet area is important for housetraining. Try
and place food and water bowls near the door to the area that
they are to use to go to the bathroom. Your dog should be fed on
a regular schedule and all family members must be aware of it.
Your family members should also be aware of the toilet area.
Everyone must be on the same track and perform the same training
duties. Your dog should be taken to its toilet area on a
frequent and regular basis. Take your dog outside and lightly
force it to its toilet area. You should stand next to your dog
and praise it when it performs its duties. When your dog learns
this behaviour proceed to training it not to eliminate in the
house.
It is essential to show how mad and frustrated you are with the
dog when it eliminates in the house. Use a stern, deep voice and
shoo the dog to its toilet area. This will teach the dog that he
has done something bad and must correct its behaviour. Clean up
the dog's mess and put it outside where the dog's toilet area
is. To avoid nighttime accidents dogs should be kept in a crate
until it has been fully housetrained.
Dogs love chewing and biting things. In order to train them not
to chew on personal belongings and furniture, offer them some
rubber bones or other hard rubber toys so that they have
something to chew on that belongs to them. You should praise
your dog when it chews on its rubber toys and scold them by
saying no when it chews on your belongings.
It is highly recommended for dog owners to go to obedience
training. Not only does this develop a strong bond between the
owner and dog but it also provides an important foundation for
future problems that may arise.
A good resource for dog training and puppy training is this website.