|
Training your dog to get along with
other dogs: Believe it or not, you can train
your dog to get along with other dogs at just about any age.
While it may be easier to train your dog on your own when he’s
puppy, with the help of a professional dog trainer, you could
very well be on your way to breaking your adult dog’s bad habits
when it comes to his behavior around other dogs, people that may
come into the home, and his behavior in places such as dog parks
and on the street.
While professional dog trainers have the superior knowledge
and skills needed to successfully train your dog, typically in a
short period of time, in some cases a trainer may not be
financially feasible. If you have to train your dog on your own,
don’t worry – it can be done. What you will need, however, goes
beyond just books about how to train your dog. The most
important things you will need in order to successfully train
your dog include:
- Plenty of time
- Lots of patience
- A positive attitude
- Rewards (treats, praise, affection, etc.)
- A firm, but non-threatening tone
To socialize your new or older dog, it is important to begin
by establishing that you are the leader. You can do this by
using a leash and making sure you walk through doorways first
with your dog behind you. If he runs ahead of you, gently pull
him back, and walk through the doorway again.
To get your dog to obey your verbal commands, you should
first establish eye contact. You can use treats to coax your dog
into making eye contact when you’re speaking. Once you have
trained him to look at you when you’re speaking, always make
your dog “sit” before feeding him, and when playing with him,
always ask him to drop his toy or bring the toy to you if he
wants to continue playing. Your dog should get used to this type
of interaction fairly quickly.
Once you have established that you are the “boss” and your
dog is obeying your commands, you can begin taking him to busy
places such as dog parks, downtown streets, and open air markets
to get him used to being around people and other pets. Let
people pet him and reward your dog with treats when he behaves
appropriately. This positive reinforcement is considered one of
the best methods of training. By using positive reinforcement,
your dog’s interest in learning is enhanced because he knows
that if he does what you ask, he will receive a treat, praise
and/or affection as a reward.
When you take your dog to the dog park or the dog beach, keep
your dog on a leash at first and allow other dogs to come up and
introduce themselves. This usually entails lots of sniffing and
walking around your dog to check him out. There shouldn’t be
much barking or growling during the introductions. Once you feel
that your dog is comfortable with the other dogs and vice versa,
you can let him off of his leash. Continue to give commands and
use positive reinforcement to get your dog used to obeying you
during one of his most exciting activities of the day.
Unless you have a troubled or aggressive dog, the techniques
mentioned throughout this article should work well. It may take
some time, but in the end you will be rewarded with a
well-behaved pet that you can take almost anywhere without
worrying about his safety or the safety of other people and
pets.
If you have an aggressive or troubled pet, it’s best to hire
a professional dog trainer, if at all possible.
Related Articles..
Introducing a New Dog into the Household
Best Dog Pairings
Seven Tips for Managing and Reducing Dog Fear
The Benefits of Puppy Kindergarten
What to Look for in Dog Day Care Services
What to Expect From a Dog Boarding Kennel
The Benefits of Guard Dog Training
An Introduction to Dog Agility Training
7 Ways to Calm an Aggressive Dog
How to Stop Dog Biting |
