It’s important when you get a new puppy to start your dog obedience training as soon as she is old enough to interact with other people and the family; usually this means about eight weeks of age. While some dog owners have a tendency to get a bit overwhelmed with this entire process, you don’t need to if you start with the basics and remember to keep you dog obedience training simple and easy for the dog to learn.
Most trainers and professionals will tell you that dog obedience training should start with a very easy command, usually “sit.” The reason this is a simple command is because you need to demonstrate to your dog every command you give it; remember that dogs don’t speak English and don’t know what the word “sit” actually means. But you can easily push the dog’s behind down as you say the word again and again, and then give her a small treat or reward. If you do this a few times you can then say the word on its own and the dog should perform the action. However, break up your dog obedience training in manageable steps by not introducing a myriad of commands all at once. Practice the “sit” command with her for at least two weeks before you move on to another command, perhaps “come.” If your dog is in the other room and you use the “come” command, give her some petting and attention when she comes to you. Do this a few times as well while still practicing the “sit” command; if you do this your dog obedience training is off to a good start.
A mistake that many new dog owners make when it comes to dog obedience training is to rush into all the commands you want her to learn all at once. An experienced owner can tell you that you need to take it slow and let her learn at a moderate pace. It’s very confusing for a dog to hear many different commands all spoken with a sense of expectation and yet she has no idea what you mean or what you want from her. This is why it’s also important during dog obedience training to demonstrate or otherwise show her what the command means. Say the command over and over while she’s performing the command and then gradually work toward just saying the command and waiting for her response.
And be sure to reward her generously as you go through dog obedience training. This doesn’t necessarily mean a fattening treat that is bad for her health; just some petting and a few minutes with a favorite toy can be reward enough for her to understand that her actions are a good thing.
If your dog obedience training is really a problem for you and the dog, don’t hesitate to talk to a pro or back up a little bit and go back to a basic command or two.
Virtually every pet owner will need to have their dog stay in a crate at one time or another. This might be for transportation purposes or for small periods of time when no one will be home to look after her. Dog crate training can be difficult at times but can be made worse by the owner that doesn’t take the right approach to it either. On the other hand, if done right, dog crate training can be very manageable for even the most stubborn of dogs. Here are some quick tips on how to do this right.
First of all, make sure your crate is the right size for your dog. Most dogs like crates because they want to sleep in something small; this makes them feel secure, the way most humans like a blanket or sheet over them when they sleep. But a crate that’s too small is dangerous and painful. The dog should be able to walk all the way around the crate with ease and should not need to dip her head while in the crate. All the effort put into dog crate training will be wasted if the crate itself is so small that the dog hates being there. And of course they won’t feel secure in a crate that’s too big, so don’t go overboard in the other direction either. Most pet stores these days allow you to bring your dog inside and this can be helpful when choosing a crate; the salesperson can typically assist in recommending a size for your dog.
Be sure to make dog crate training something that isn’t very traumatizing to your dog, especially at first. Simply forcing her inside and locking the door won’t do anything to help her feel comfortable in the crate. When dog crate training be sure to prepare the crate with a comfortable bed or blanket and some toys. Many trainers also recommend you put in one of your shirts that hasn’t been washed; this way the dog has your scent with her while she’s in the crate. You can also sit with her while training; this means she won’t associate the crate with being alone or abandoned.
Another good tip is to wear out your dog during the day when dog crate training. Give her a long walk or take her to the park and play with her for as long as possible. If she’s very tired at night she won’t be as likely to whine or cry when put into her crate. This way too she’ll associate the crate with a good night’s sleep and won’t be so hesitant to use it.
Dog crate training need not be difficult for dogs or owners; it’s actually much like getting a child to stay in bed. There may be some crying and resistance at first, but if you approach dog crate training with a positive attitude and make it as comfortable for the dog as possible it should go much smoother.
Dogs can be a source of joy and purpose for many people. One problem of having a dog can be the limited space of your apartment or home. There are actually many ways of how to take care of a dog with the limited space that you have. You will need lots of patience and creativity in dealing with how to take care of a dog with limited space at home.
Usually, smaller dogs adapt more easily to limited or smaller spaces. Getting a German Shepherd or a Great Dane if your home is a single bedroom apartment may pose a big problem in how to take care of a dog.
Obedience Training And Potty Training
How to take care of a dog in a limited space entails obedience training because your neighbors might complain of noise from barking and howling. You can bring your dog to obedience school as early as three to five months of age or you can try to train him yourself. Obedience is vital in how to take care of a dog in limited space because he must learn to be calm and quite when left alone and also not to destroy any of your things while you are gone.
Potty training is another aspect of how to take care of a dog. The limited space of your home will necessitate taking your dog out to do his business. This will require that you to bring out your dog for a walk in the morning. While it is still a puppy, you need to be aware when it wants to defecate. Signs of needing to go may be straining or circling. Different dogs may have different signs so it is best to take note. This usually happens after it has just eaten a full meal so you might want to just take it out after a meal. When the dog is older, it will not defecate as often as a puppy.
Dog’s Exercise
Exercise is another aspect of how to take care of a dog in your small apartment. Big and small dogs need exercise daily, big dogs more than smaller ones. A walk daily might suffice for smaller dogs but bigger dogs might need to be walked morning and night although, all dogs need to be taken out more than twice for their bathroom needs. A run in a park can also do wonders for your dog and playing around with your dog in the park will improve your relationship.
Knowing how to take care of a dog in a small apartment is essential for the health and well being of your pet.