Tips on Training Your Dog

by Liz Ward

Overview

A leading reason that a dog will end up in the humane society is a lack of house training. Puppies are easier to train than older dogs, but older dogs are trainable. If a dog is properly trained and housebroken, he will be a valued member of the family for his lifetime. Dogs want to please their owners. Some catch on quickly, while others may take a while to train but all of them need patience, repetition and kindness.
Housebreaking

Housebreaking is one of the most important things a dog can learn. Dogs don't like to relieve themselves where they eat or sleep. Crate training will help you potty train the dog. Start by using a crate that is big enough for the dog or puppy to stand up or turn around in, and can accommodate a growing puppy. Put the dog in the crate for short periods, gradually building until he can control his bathroom habits. Praise him for going potty outside and never punish him for accidents. Putting your dog or puppy outside frequently is the secret to successful potty training. Watching for signs that he has to go takes patience and perseverance. The more you work with your dog, the sooner he'll learn. Don't use the crate as a punishment; you'll be using mixed signals.

Commands

All dogs need to know basic commands. Sit, down, stay and come are some of the most important. Start with one command at a time until your dog learns it. If he does what's asked of him, praise him immediately. If he doesn't, help him do it the right way and praise him for doing it right. Never punish your dog for not performing well; if you do, she may not listen to you the next time. Keep her training sessions short -- five to 10 minutes long -- and always try to make it fun for her.
Problems

Nothing is worse than listening to a dog that is constantly barking. One way to stop a dog from excessively barking is to teach him to bark on command. This also teaches him when not to bark. Begging is another behavior that is unacceptable. You can stop your dog from begging by never allowing her to start. Put your dog in another room when you're eating and don't feed him from the table. Chewing can be an expensive behavior problem, especially if she chews your designer purse or shoes. When you catch your dog chewing something he shouldn't, slowly take it away from him and give him one of his toys. Praise him for chewing his toy.