Indholdsfortegnelse for How To Train Your Dog i How To Train Your Dog

The day has finally come, and it’s time to collect your new puppy or dog from the breeder or rescue centre and bring them to their new home. Don’t let the excitement overwhelm you, as this will likely be a delicate time in a dog’s life. Read on to discover how to make this process as smooth as possible, so that your dog feels safe and comfortable. PICKING UP YOUR POOCH Once you’ve signed off the paperwork and gained a new family member, it’s time to bring them home. The safest way to transport any dog is via your own car, and the most important part of that setup is a good-sized dog crate and a calm atmosphere. Let your dog have a cursory sniff of the car and satisfy…

Housebreaking is one of the most daunting tasks faced by any prospective dog owner (even the name housebreaking is steeped in negative connotations). For some, it might even be a dealbreaker – the thought of your cherished home turning into a giant litter tray is the one thing holding you back from getting your first dog. But you shouldn’t let the fear of potty training stand between you and the massive benefits of welcoming a four-legged friend into your life. Yes, of course, it’s a challenge, and there will be ups and downs, but with the right attitude and a clear strategy, you’ll make it through. From the very beginning, you need to have realistic expectations. Housetraining is a learning curve – it’s not something any dog is going to…

Setting boundaries not only helps to keep your dog safe and well-behaved, but it also helps to create a sense of security and stability for both you and your dog. Training a dog to understand their boundaries will make them more comfortable in the spaces they are allowed to be in, and provide some much-needed peace of mind for you on the journey of dog ownership. TEACHING GOOD MANNERS One of the most crucial boundaries to set with your dog is around biting. While it’s natural for dogs to use their mouths to explore and play, it’s not acceptable for them to use their teeth on people or other pets in and out of the home. To prevent biting, it’s important to teach your dog appropriate bite inhibition. Play biting…

Play is imperative when it comes to a dog’s wellbeing. Along with providing energetic fun and excitement for dogs, using toys can be crucial in their development. In playing with toys, their brains develop through mental stimulation, and their motor skills improve. Like the skills that a child develops through playing with vibrant toys, puppies gain from being introduced to interactive toys at a young age. Playing with toys during the earlier years can also play an integral role in forming bonds between a dog and its owner. Engaging in a quick session of tug-of-war or catch can help to establish long-lasting connections with a dog. Chewing on toys also has physical benefits, especially amongst puppies growing new teeth. During teething, firstly after around three weeks old and then again…

“The lead needs to be loose, and your dog needs to know when to stop” Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk when they’re on a leash/lead. It’s a skill you will need to teach your canine companion to prevent your walks together from becoming a frustrating battle. By nature, a dog will want to pull on the leash to get ahead. If you’re spending your whole time on a walk trying to prevent your pet from tightening the leash, it will only lead to much stress. A well-trained dog should be walking by your side. The lead needs to be loose, and your dog needs to know when to stop, when to walk, and when to turn without unnecessary sharp tugging from you – an action that can actually…

Prospective dog owners often wonder if their chosen breed will be easy to socialise with. After all, if you take a walk around a park, you’ll invariably see dogs barking at each other and maybe, in some cases, even fighting. It can make the road ahead feel daunting. It’s true that without positive socialisation, dogs are more likely to behave badly towards one another. They may see unfamiliar dogs as scary and could end up cowering and tucking their tail between their legs while avoiding eye contact should they encounter one. But the reaction can also go the other way. Indeed, in some circumstances, fear can sway into aggression, leading to your furry friend snarling, growling and barking at another dog. With their ears erect and eyes fixed, there is…

HURRYING TO FIND A HOUND Welcoming a four-legged companion into your life and home is exciting. Your heart instantly melts at the thought of watery eyes, long walks and cuddles. But sharing your home with an animal brings with it not only added responsibilities but also a long‑term commitment. You will need to consider many things before heading to the shelter or breeder, including whether it’s the right dog for you, your family and your lifestyle? You need to think very carefully about all these factors and do plenty of research before housing a new dog. This way, you and your future canine friend can coexist in the best way possible. HOW TO AVOID IT Firstly, you will need to ask yourself some crucial questions, the most pertinent being, ‘Do…

Unconditional love, waggy tails, companionship – planning to get a dog can be an exciting time for any aspiring pet owner. Whether you’ve always wanted a dog or you’re just coming around to the idea of welcoming one into your home, it’s unlikely that you desire to give them anything less than what they need to live a happy and healthy life. If you’ve not owned a dog before, however, you might be surprised just how much goes into giving your pet the basic things they need to survive. Here are five key aspects you should consider before you bring home a dog. COSTS Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest concerns that first-time dog owners have is whether they can afford their new family member. According to the charity PDSA (People’s…

Part of what makes owners’ relationships with dogs so personal is that no two dogs are identical. Some dogs love to meet new people, while others fear the unknown. Everything from a dog’s favourite foods, sociability, physical ability, levels of independence and adaptability can differ between individual dogs. Like people, dogs have unique personalities and understanding this is what will make you the best possible animal carer. To understand your dog’s likes and dislikes, you must learn to interpret its body’s stance, movements and noises. Every loving owner wants their pet to feel safe and comfortable at all times, and understanding dogs’ signals and emotions can also save their lives and prevent accidents. When a dog is sick, it will usually alter its behaviour. This can be in the form…

As with the indications in its more specific body parts, a dog’s body shows relaxation when there are no signs of tension. This could be in the form of standing calmly, sitting and moving gently or lying in a comfortable position. As your pet’s excitement increases, its posture will become slightly more alert. A happily excited dog is a joyful sight for many owners. This is often characterised by a heightened tail and lowered front legs. When a dog kneels down facing you, with its backside sticking upwards behind them, the chances are they are looking at you with the anticipation of playing a game. This is generally coupled with wagging hips. Sometimes you might wonder what your dog is thinking, especially if they stand in front of you with…

Whether you’re buying a new puppy or adopting an older soul, your dog isn’t the only new thing you will bring home. From bare essentials to luxury comfort items, there’s a lot of stuff that you’re going to need to buy. A boom in pet-specific products has meant more options today for you and your dog than ever before. Whether you’re looking for something that will suit limited space or options that match your interior decor, there’s a wide variety in price and design, meaning that you’re almost spoiled for choice. Of course, with such an overwhelming amount of products and variations, you might get a bit lost when deciding what a luxury item is and what is a bare necessity – especially if you’re working with limited space or…

When introducing a new dog into your home, the first decision you have to make is arguably the most important. It can be daunting to conjure up a name for your adorable pet that matches their face, expressions and behaviour. You might be tempted to change it during the first few days with your canine companion, but settling on a good name and remaining consistent with your choice will help you and your pet to form a bond. A dog needs to be introduced to its name early in your relationship, which will help them to hold your attention and be alerted to commands. To successfully train your dog, you first need to understand it and attempt to see the situation from their point of view. Imagine entering a house…

Dog training – or training of any kind, really – usually takes one of two forms: carrot and stick. While the stick method is a negative reinforcement technique that punishes failure to perform the right action, the carrot method is a rewards-based technique that positively reinforces good behaviour. Obviously, the latter is much more fun and enjoyable for both trainer and trainee, whereas the former will be detrimental to your dog’s mental wellbeing. Over the next few pages, we’ll demonstrate how to use treats and rewards properly to train your dog, what can be used as treats, and the common pitfalls to avoid. TYPES OF REWARD First, we’ll explore what types of rewards you can offer your dog. The obvious one is a food-based treat. Whether small pieces of food…

Long hair, short-legged, patient or protective. When it comes to dogs, each one is unique, with its own personality, appearance and preferences. But despite these differences many groups, such as the American Kennel Club in the US and the Kennel Club in the UK, have invented ways to categorise each breed. Split into seven groups, each breed of dog falls into a category depending on the type of ‘job’ it held. For example, working dogs bred to pull sledges or herding dogs used to round up livestock on farms. The AKC and KC have over 200 registered dog breeds, so there is much diversity between dogs of the same groups, particularly when it comes to looks and size. It’s also good to note the distinctions made mostly relate to purebred…

Just one glance at a human face can tell you what mood a person might be in, but would you know the same when looking at a dog? Facial expressions are less obvious in dogs than in humans, but there are crucial signs in the face and ear movements that provide insight into canine emotions. To humans and many other animals, the eyes of others serve as a gateway to their character and emotional responses, and you can interpret a lot from the way a dog moves their eyes. For example, when your dog looks at you and blinks slowly, it is being friendly and showing happiness. The opposite action with wide eyes and limited blinking displays alertness and a readiness to play and be active with you. If you…

A barking dog in a quiet neighbourhood is quickly labelled as a nuisance, but this is a dog engaging in communication. Whether it is a bark, howl, growl or snort, each sound has a different purpose that changes based on pitch, volume and circumstance. The most similar sound that a dog makes to talking is barking, and the actions they show with their noises can help you decipher the meaning behind the outburst. High-pitched barking is more likely to be a happy response to seeing an owner or an excited response to playing. In contrast, a deep bark serves as a warning. Instances when your dog might bark with a lower pitch include when they hear a threatening noise beyond the fence of your garden or when the doorbell rings…

Whether you are training your dog to carry out basic tasks, teaching them new tricks or just carrying out a little general obedience work, the importance of communication cannot be understated. It is everything. Now, your dog doesn’t speak or understand English, or any other language. Don’t worry: your pet pooch isn’t particularly dense, and no dogs speak any lingo. That’s not to say they can’t be taught to understand some fundamental verbal commands, though. With enough time, practice, patience, praise and doggy treats, it’s possible to teach your companion to recognise a whole range of words and commands. To begin with, let’s focus on a smaller number. Perfect these, and you can go from there. We’ve decided to pick out four essential commands, however, there is plenty of others…

There’s nothing quite like watching a dog running free in the natural world. Whether it’s a golden retriever rolling joyfully around in a muddy puddle or a springer spaniel excitedly chasing after a flock of sparrows, our four‑legged friends radiate pure, unadulterated joy as they explore the outdoors. Even the sight of a lead can cause a dog to jump up and down with infectious excitement. Such obvious displays of happiness are proof that a walk is not simply an opportunity for a toilet break. Likewise, letting a dog roam about in the back garden is not a sufficient substitute for a walk. Granted, it can help boost a dog’s mood, but nothing beats the mental stimulation, physical exertion and training opportunities of a good, long walk. How far and…

During the coronavirus pandemic, many parents tutored their children at home. A hefty amount of them hated it. Teaching kids, it would appear, is not as easy as some people believe it to be, and, in some cases, parents felt they were doing something wrong – that a child’s struggle with a subject was a reflection on them. But then parents were trying to juggle work, deal with wandering minds and still do all the many things needed to keep a household ticking along. So why do teachers seem to have a better time of it? Well, they have benefitted from years of training and learned how to teach. And, you know what? The exact same principle applies to training dogs. You can do it yourself or benefit from somebody…