DOG TRAINING TIPS

One of the main reasons many young and healthy dogs end up inside a shelter, is because they lack the basic training that would allow them become great pets.

We strongly suggest you sign up your dog into training classes provided by your local Pet Store at surprisingly affordable rates, classes can be a lot of fun and it will allow you and your dog to make great new friends.

Below you will find some basic training tips that can be applied to the most common situations you may find when adopting a dog.

• Establish yourself as the Alpha/Pack Leader by giving simple voice commands, use an appropriate voice level and always use your dog's name when issuing a simple command.
• Provide your dog with plenty of toys in order to avoid him having him accidentally chewing on your furniture or personal items; always use his toys while playing with him.
  
• Feed your dog on a regular schedule once or twice a day and allow him to go outside or take him for a walk 15 minutes after he completes his meal. Make a big deal and congratulate him everytime he goes to the bathroom outside, you can even give him a small treat/positive reinforcement everytime he does it.
  
• Clearly differentiate the good behaviors vs the bad ones by clearly letting him know by using an appropriate voice level, using his name and appropriate body language.
• If your dog is hyperactive establish a daily 15 to 30 minutes of active playtime and try to make him tired (fetch); your dog will know when playtime is vs time for relaxing. You will be surprised how well this works, a tired dog is always a happy dog.
• If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you can easily play a game in which you exit your house as if you were leaving for work, stay outside for 3min, 5min, 10min...etc your dog will eventually realize you won't be abandoning him forever when you have to go to work.
• If you are concerned your dog is trying to run away you can play a game in which you walk away from him and you call him, once he comes to you, you will give him a treat; walk away once again from him and call him, once he comes back give him another treat/positive reinforcement; repeat this exercise often and in different places.
• When introducing a new dog to your current doggie, it is very important to do this in a neutral environment (not in your house) by walking the dogs together and always keeping them focused on your commands instead of each other.
• If your dog is sensitive to noise, thunder or barks excessively specially while you are not home, simply leave your Stereo or TV On; this will allow your dog to relax and be less receptive to any exterior noises lessening his anxiety level.
  
• Do NOT use intimidation or Physical Abuse, this approach will NOT improve any desired behavior; it may actually make it worse since your dog will forget what he just did and instead focus all of his attention in avoiding being scolded by his owner.
• PlayPens + Puppy Pads are a great alternative vs Crating your dog, before the training process is complete; Dogs are extremely smart and it is just a matter of love and a bit of effort to teach any desired behaviors to your best friend.
  
• Please Do NOT give up on your doggie because he is not understanding what you are trying to achieve from him, it might end up costing him his life. The solution to a bad behavior may be just a few exercises away, which you may actually end up enjoying yourself.