Training Your Dog To Become A Guard Dog.

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     You dreamed of bringing home Lassie, but you may have a dog that acts more like Cujo! You can do just a little training, and you will see that your dog will be a better dog in no time.

Ensure your dogs are active and getting a lot of exercises. Dogs can get bored quite easily. Bored dogs are difficult to train. Keeping your dog exercised and happy will help them pay attention more due to releasing all excess energy that often distracts them from your commands. Go for long walks and runs with your dog.

Keep your voice firm and level when delivering commands to your dog. Your voice tone lets your dog know that you are serious and that you expect their obedience. It will also let the dog know the difference between an angry voice, a happy voice and an authoritative voice.

Look out for your dog's nutrition the same way you would look after your own. A bad diet can cause your dog many problems. Poor nutrition adversely affects your dog's health and can cause uncharacteristic behavior. Providing a dog with fresh water and a high protein diet can have an astounding affect on their health and attitude.

When toilet training your dog, try to avoid accidents! Learn your dog's signals, so you can anticipate the need to go out. Constant whining, sniffing, and pacing around the house are all very common signs. Do not hesitate if you notice this behavior. Quickly leash your pet and lead him to an area where he can relieve himself. Reward the dog for using the bathroom outdoors. Over time, he is going to learn to try to get outside to go.

You can continue to train your dog as they age. Training does not stop when your dog leaves his puppy stage. By reinforcing positive behavior, your dog will remain obedient, just as continued discipline can stop poor behavior from taking hold.

Use the dog's name as much as possible to ensure that it pays attention. Over time and repetition, the dog will begin to understand their name and that they are being spoken to. It is important to use a name the dog easily understands.

Make sure you're aware of any other dogs in the area when walking your dog. Sometimes, other dogs can get aggressive, as you want to keep your dog out of harms way. Take care to avoid coming into contact with any animal that appears overly aggressive or antisocial.

Remember not to reward your dog for bad behavior when they do something negative. When this happens, you are teaching your dog that he is boss. For instance, do not give treats to the dog when it barks.

If you are traveling with dogs, make sure to pack everything that your dog needs to eat, sleep and use the bathroom. When you come prepared with plenty of supplies, you will be able to enjoy your trip. Items like food can be left at home. Simply purchase some when you reach your destination.

Many dog owners are quite surprised at how quickly they can achieve good results with even a basic dog training routine. Consider giving some of the ideas outlined above a try, in order to improve the bond between you and your dog.