Dog Behavior Training Comes In Many Options

Man's best friend can be a pain instead of a pleasure without proper dog behavior training. There are many options for training your dog, from books and dog training videos to formal classes with trained instructors. Basic dog training can be simple as using a library book or paperback to train a new puppy to a "sleepover" dog academy.

It's ideal to start a dog's basic training when it's still a puppy. As soon as the puppy becomes part of the household it's important that an owner communicate what kinds of behavior are and are not acceptable. The owner may see some behaviors as destructive, such as the tendency of the puppy to chew on anything that comes its way. This is actually normal canine behavior - the chewing activity feels very pleasant to the baby teeth. In a good dog behavior training regimen it can be just as important to offer appropriate dog toys and snacks as it can be to modify the specific behavior entirely.

Some forms of training, such as teaching a dog where and when he should void, are much more specific. Humans need to be realistic about the extent to which they can alter innate canine behavior. Puppies cannot be housebroken immediately, and even adult dogs are going to have occasional accidents. It is not reasonable to expect a pet to wait for twelve hours to eliminate waste because his human cannot spare the time. The dog's needs must be met for housebreaking to be successful, and that requires providing a pile of newspapers or a disposable "pee pad" in a predictable spot for canine emergencies.

Most people would be comfortable housebreaking their dog, but more complex issues may require the assistance of a professional in dog behavior training. A professional can help train your dog to respond to simple verbal commands, as well as train it to act as a guardian for your home. Sometimes a dog training video can help with this. There are also online resources that can help with training your dog.

Some training may require a professional because the dog owner has no experience with it, such as crate training. Even a person who grew up with dogs in their home may never have seen or trained a dog to accept the crate while humans are away, and many owners find a training campus more efficient than trial and error at home. A decision to use crating needs to be weighed with the needs of the dog, and a crate should not be an excuse to simply ignore a pet for many hours at a time.

It's also important to be realistic when training a dog. It may not really be possible to train a greyhound to occupy a penthouse where it wouldn't have the chance to run around and get the exercise it really needs.