We all know that dogs make great pets, but training issues can quickly take away some of the joy of a new puppy. From problems with housebreaking and chewing to more serious issues with aggression and territorial behavior, dog owners can face many problems on the road to a happy, healthy and well adjusted canine companion.

Fortunately there are some simple and easy to use training techniques that can work wonders with even the most difficult dog. By harnessing the nature of the animal, smart dog owners can turn a problem dog into a treasured member of the family.

Use Your Dog’s Basic Instincts to Your Advantage

Dogs are pack animals, and like humans they are predators. Understanding these basic facts can help dog owners get their training program off to a good start. Like the wolves from which they are descended, domestic dogs look to the lead dog for guidance and protection. In order to be successful, the human member of the pack needs to establish him or herself as the leader.

Of course establishing that leadership is easier said than done. Like human beings, every dog will have a different personality. Some will be outgoing and playful, while others will be timid and shy. If you doubt the truth of this statement, just watch a litter of puppies at play. In order to successfully train your dog you will need to understand his or her unique personality, and learn how to use those personality traits to your advantage.

Is Your Dog Dominant, Submissive or a Little Bit of Each Every dog will have a different level of dominance or submissiveness, and these traits are often quite easy to spot. A dominant dog will quickly take over the leadership role, and it is up to the two legged members of the family to establish the proper pecking order. A submissive dog, on the other hand, can become quite fearful and timid, and it is up to the dog owner to reassure the dog and make him feel protected.

Dominant dogs may also need more frequent reinforcement of the concepts they have learned during their past training. Short, frequently repeated lessons can work wonders with dominant dogs, and many dog owners have had great success using these methods. The key is to always end the training session on a good note, and to constantly reinforce the lessons that have already been learned.

For instance, a lesson on leash training could begin with reintroducing the collar, and a lesson on heeling could start with a re introduction to the leash and perhaps a short play session. Making each training session as fun as possible means your dog will look forward to each new lesson and begin to build upon what he has learned.

Social Dogs:

As pack animals, dogs are naturally social creatures, but again the individual canine nature will have a great impact on their social nature. Dogs at either end of the dominance and submission spectrum will need extra supervision when they are in the company of other dogs or other animals, and it is up to the dog owner to supply that needed supervision.

Dogs who are overly dominant may become aggressive, especially when confronted by other equally dominant dogs. Owners will need to carefully supervise those dominant dogs in order to keep the situation under control. On the other hand, very submissive dogs could be injured by more aggressive animals, and they will need to rely on their strong pack leader – namely you – to keep them safe and secure. Protecting the dog during a stressful or frightening situation can help to solidify your role as leader and make training easier and more effective as well.

Create a Cozy Cave:

Dogs naturally seek comfort and security, and creating a safe place for your dog can help his training progress more smoothly. Crate training can be used to great effect for all types of dogs, and many dogs respond quite well to this type of training. The idea behind crate training is to create a safe and comfortable space for the dog, and dog owners need to keep that basic fact in mind.

The dog should not see the crate as a prison – rather he should view it as a place of refuge and security. Dog owners can take some simple steps, such as providing a comfortable blanket or dog bed, as well as a few favorite toys and a treat or two. With these inducements the dog can learn to view his crate as his own special place, and look forward to visiting it everyday.

The Bottom Line:

Dog training is not always an easy process, and there will be inevitable setbacks along the way. Even so, the rewards of dog training are considerable, and a well adjusted and well trained dog will be not only a treasured part of the family but a welcome member of the wider community as well.

Author Bio: Bruno is blogging about Pomeranian and Mops (pug dogs) at Hundefeber.no.

Category: Pets
Keywords: pets,animals,dogs,dog training,advice