Free Dog Training Tips Easy Steps To You Leading The Pack Part 3
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Dog Training Articles and Important Information
Caring For Your Dog
Overview of The Basic Commands of Dog Training
There are, of course, many reasons for owners to want a calm, obedient and faithful dog. Well-trained dogs are happier and less likely to get into tussles with people and other dogs. In modern society, where people tend to live closer together in smaller confines, it's also often a community requirement that the dogs living in these neighborhoods be trained and well behaved. This is especially true for those breeds thought to have aggression and behavior problems ... dog breeds such as pit bulls and rottweilers.
And of course, training your dog well will also help assure he or she is a much better family companion, especially in households where there are young children. Studies have shown that proper dog training makes a huge impact when it comes to reducing the number of dog bites and other behavior problems within a family household with dogs.
If you're considering training your own dog, or having someone else help you with the training, you should be aware that there are certain basic commands that must be mastered in order for your dog to be considered truly trained. These basic commands include:
Heel ... it's important that any dog learn to walk beside its owner on a loose lead, neither pulling ahead nor lagging behind
Respond to the word "No" ... the word "No" is an essential word all dogs must learn. Training your dog to respond to this important word can save you a ton of trouble.
Sit ... Training your dog to sit on command is a vital part of any dog training program.
Stay ... A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands.
Down ... Lying down on command is more than just a cute trick; it's a key component of any successful dog training program.
Dog training does much more than just create an obedient, willing companion. Training your dog properly actually strengthens the bond that already exists between dog and handler. A properly trained dog will respond effectively to all your commands without displaying anxiety, displeasure or confusion. To achieve this result, your dog training program should focus on allowing your dog to learn what is expected, while reinforcing the desired behaviors with positive feedback.
The first step in the process is to understand that by their very nature, dogs are pack animals. Establishing yourself as pack leader is essential in the training process. Dogs look to their pack leader to tell them what to do. Failure to establish yourself as that pack leader, as that dominant animal, will almost certainly lead to behavior problems.
It's also important to understand that the process of dog training is a great way to fulfill some of the dog's own needs, including the need for exercise, the security that comes with knowing what is expected of it, a feeling of accomplishment and a good working relationship with its handler. Dog training gives your dog an important job to do, and an important goal to reach.
Giving the dog a job is more important than you may have imagined. Dogs were originally bred by humans to do important work, such as herding sheep, guarding property and protecting people. Many dogs today have no important jobs to do. This can often lead to boredom and neurotic behavior.
Basic obedience training, and ongoing training sessions, provide the dog with that important job. This is especially important for high energy breeds such as German shepherds and border collies. Training sessions provide an outlet for these dogs to exhaust their extra energy and simply to enjoy themselves.
In addition, you'll want to incorporate some playtime into your dog training sessions. This is a great way to prevent both yourself and your dog from becoming bored. It also helps to strengthen the all important bond between you - the pack leader - and your dog.
So, just a quick summation here. Training is essential for establishing yourself as the pack leader, teaching your dog to behave properly around people and other dogs, giving your dog a sense of purpose, and strengthening your bond with your dog. The commands your dog must know include sit, heel, stay, down, and the word "No." Master these and you're well on your way to having a happy, obedient dog in your family.
