Your pet dog can be one of the best friends you’ll ever have, providing unconditional love and companionship on days when you’re down or just need a good laugh. If you want to get your dog to listen to you every time, though, it’s important to train him properly from the start and practice consistently throughout his life. Here are ten ways you can train your dog to listen to you without fail and take proper care of him at the same time!
1) Give Attention
Dogs love affection and attention, so make sure that your pet is getting enough of it. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours each day playing with him, but take time to play with him a few times per week. Play a game like fetch or tug-of-war and spend quality time with your dog while training him. He’ll feel special that he has your undivided attention.
2) Be Positive
Dogs are often considered man’s best friend, but keeping your pet healthy and happy can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Dogs require exercise, medical care, and of course, attention. By following these simple tips for dog care and training, you can make sure that your beloved pet is living a long, healthy life.
3) Use Positive Reinforcement
Dogs are highly-sensitive animals and can pick up on negative feelings from their masters. By being respectful and patient, you’ll see that a positive approach toward dog training is far more effective than yelling or even physical punishments.
4) Ignore Bad Behavior
It’s natural for dogs to act on instinct, which means they won’t always know how to behave correctly in human society. This might mean they bark a lot or try and eat everything in sight, but ignoring these actions is one of the most important parts of dog training—if you can teach your pet not to listen when he does things wrong, you’ll have better luck with positive rewards like treats later on.
5) Be Consistent
Pets respond best when we establish a routine and stick to it. If your dog is used to you feeding him at 5:00 every day, don’t start feeding him at 4:30 every day. When you do something out of routine, it confuses your pet. At first, he may be excited about his new schedule, but then after a few days he’ll be wondering what happened. Try sticking with a schedule for a couple of weeks, and then tweak things if necessary.
6) Praise Good Behavior
Praising your dog for good behavior makes him more likely to repeat it. When he does something you like, say yes and give him a treat. If he starts doing something you don’t like, make an immediate noise (like clapping your hands) and distract him with a toy or food reward. If that doesn’t work, simply walk away from whatever has his attention. The goal is to stop unwanted behavior before it starts by not giving your dog attention when he acts up.
7) Let Them Feel like Part of the Family
Dogs are family too! As such, it’s important to care for your dog just as you would any other member of your family. Dogs get sad, lonely and depressed if they’re left alone all day without companionship. Dog experts recommend getting a dog no later than 12 weeks so that you can start training right away—dogs have short attention spans, so by teaching them basic commands at an early age, you’ll create a lifelong habit of listening and following directions.
8) Limit Activities
It’s common for dogs to become overexcited and even hyperactive when they are in a new home, surrounded by lots of people. To avoid injuries, make sure your dog doesn’t overdo it on his first day with you. If he seems overwhelmed or is doing something harmful (chewing on furniture, running around too much), put him in a separate room and only let him out after he has settled down.
9) Reward Good Behavior with Treats
A dog treat can be used as a positive reinforcement for good behavior. If your dog is lying down or sitting and waiting patiently, reward him with a treat when he does what you ask. This will encourage him to behave well so that he gets rewarded for it. While you should always offer treats for good behavior, don’t give them out freely—if your dog tries begging or barking, ignore him until he stops, then reward him when he’s being quiet.
10) Set an Example by Following These Tips Yourself!
While it may be difficult for a dog to listen if you don’t follow through with your commands, it can sometimes be even harder for dogs to listen when their owner doesn’t follow through with what they say. After all, if your dog isn’t listening, ask yourself: Is there something that you aren’t doing that you could be?
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