How to Start Training Your Dog

It’s almost every dog lover’s dream to be able to train their own dog to behave and do things such as sit, stay and roll over. Other than being able to do neat tricks, what’s great about well-trained dogs is their ability to control their aggression and stay relaxed even in the most overwhelming situations. Proper dog training will also save you the trouble of covering up for their misdemeanors such as jumping over people or biting strangers.

Another good thing when you give your dog the proper training is that you will love to have her for a longer span of time. According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, 96% of untrained dogs end up in shelters and pounds, because tendency is that owners will abandon their untrained dogs as they become exasperating.

Now if you’re thinking of training your dog but do not quite know where to start, what you need to do is start looking for the right training program and professional to work with your dog. You may find a lot of them online or over the yellow pages, but it will be wiser to ask your friends or relatives to suggest trainers they trust -- or trainers to avoid. This would also yield a more reliable set of options.

If you’ve already found a good trainer, you should study the kind of training programs they use to make sure that they fit what you want for your dog. If you have no idea what program you want for your dog, you may ask your trainer about different methods and what their advantages and disadvantages are.

Whatever your dog training program is, always remember that socializing your pet is one of the most essential parts of your training. These are some things you have to consider:

Train your dog how to cope when in a place full of strangers. You should teach her not to become aggressive and violent in the midst of people she doesn't know. You can achieve this through taking your dog for walks around your neighbourhood often to expose them to meeting other people.
Other than dealing with humans, you have to expose your dog to other dogs. A good way to do this is to take her to dog parks or dog training classes. Like humans, they need to socialize with their own kind also.
You have to train your dog to walk at a steady rate, especially with her leash on. It is advisable to start doing this while your dog is still a puppy.
Teach your dog to behave when she is confined in a limited space in case it has to happen, such as in a kennel. A good method to use is the crate training.
One of the basic and most important commands you have to teach your dog is to sit. This is usually the first thing that dog owners teach their pets.
To help your dog remain calm in a very busy place or a very overwhelming situation, it would useful to train your dog to obey commands such as “down/stay” and “stand”.

Training your dog could be very frustrating, but results will definitely be rewarding and benefits will be plenty. You have to keep in mind that this is an on-going process and your pet’s skills should be reinforced often.

Proper dog training won't prevent all problems -- but it will make your life with your dog more fun and fulfilling.

How to Start Training Your Dog

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