Basic Dog Training

Dogs are regarded as mans best friend. However a dog needs to be trained in order to be man's friend, leave alone man's best friend.

Let us not forget that the dog is an animal, and like all animals has its inherent wild animal instincts, which will form its behaviour patterns and nature as it grows.

If trained from a the age of just a few weeks old we could mould and change its behavior pattern and nature, which eventually makes the dog so endearing and loyal to be regarded as man's best friend.

Basic Dog Training is establishing a set of fixed and rigid rules for the dog. Just as we have rules which our children are required to obey and follow, the dog also has to obey and follow those rules without exception.

The earlier these rules are established the better, because it would be rather difficult to impose certain rules on an adult dog which has already a formed nature and behavior pattern.

It must also be remembered that these rules must be known to all the members of the household in which the dog resides, because no member of the household should do nothing to contradict these rules and confuse the dog.

To site an example. If the rule is that the dog does not climb on to the bed, everyone who lives in that house should know that rule, because it will completely confuse the dog, if any one of them allows him or to jump on to their bed, or unknowingly invites him or her onto to the bed to be petted and patted. Which a good number of dog loving adults do quite naturally.

Basic Dog Training is being consistent.. Verbal command should be firm, emphatic and easily understood by the dog. The word 'NO' should mean 'Do Not DO' to the dog. That is how it should be used and delivered.

To achieve this understanding with your verbal commands and body language will take time, hard work and patience, but once the dog fully understands the meaning of each of your commands he or she will follow them implicitly.

In essence basic dog training is making the dog realize, through your body language and verbal commands what behavior is acceptable and what behavior is not.

Older, or adult dogs can also be trained, but it must be remembered that it will be very difficult to change any formed bad habits. It is for this reason that most professional dog trainers prefer to start training a dog when it is just a few weeks old at the most.

Another important aspect of good training is that if physical means are used to correct a dog's behavior it is of paramount importance that the dog is not hurt.

Rewards and Punishment if used the proper way goes a long way in training your dog quickly and effectively.

The best punishment is to ignore the dog. The dog is a social animal and loves company. The best way to emphasize with the dog that he or she has done something wrong is to immediately stop any interaction with it when he or she does something wrong.

In like manner, praise, an affectionate pat, a treat or even a toy to make the dog realize it has done the right thing will help him remember the rules.

Dogs are sensitive to the tone of the human voice. Do not shout or Yell. Let your commands be short, preferably simple single words said firmly and clearly, and they would respond to them as if on cue. They get to learn the sound and tone of each command and associate with each, a specific action they are expected to perform.

Once your dog has started responding to each command rewards should be gradually withdrawn till the animal responds even without the promise of a reward.