Training a dog takes patience, time, and dedication. An investment of time is required from all members of your family. If everyone refuses to get involved, you may find that your dog (no matter its age) gets confused simply because it is receiving mixed communications and directions. When everyone is on the same page regarding training, you can be sure that your dog learns and remembers what you want it to.
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Why Everyone Needs to Be Onboard
If people within your home are giving your dog mixed signals, or even mixed communications, you will quickly find that your dog will become disobedient. Giving one set of clear instructions and ensuring that everyone sticks to these clear directions will give you the best chance of success. When everyone is on board with training, in terms of what they are saying, what they are doing, and of course how they are acting. Then you should start to see positive improvements in your dog’s behavior.
Training at Home
If you want to start training your dog at home, you have to be prepared, and you have to be organized. Ensuring that you have a secure and safe area to train your dog is one thing. You also need to ensure that distractions are kept to a minimum (especially if you are trying to train a younger pup). Having a safe and secure fence at your property is crucial, especially in those first few weeks of dog ownership. To ensure that your home is secure, you need to look at investing in an invisible fence. You can find an invisible fence near me, and you can find an installer to help (or assist) with the installation, too – ensuring that it is totally secure and impossible for a dog to get out of.
Utilizing Training Classes
You are not alone when you are training your dog, and it is important to remember this. Reaching out to trainers and even attending training sessions with your dog can prove to be beneficial. Sometimes trying new methods or just having that extra bit of support can go a long way.
Being Realistic
Training your dog will take time, and it is important that you are realistic about what you can achieve and by when. When you are realistic about training, you and your dog can enjoy the process a lot more. If you are unrealistic, you may find that you are setting yourself unachievable goals, which can leave you feeling frustrated.
Being Patient
When you are trying to train your dog, the repetition can end up getting the better of you. Staying calm and being patient is important. When you are calm and patient, your dog will pick up on this in your voice, and they will want to work harder too. If you are frantic, panicked, or stressed, it can cause destructive behavior, which is not what you want. A puppy will latch on this behavior and potentially mimic it itself.
