Always wanted to adopt a dog but not sure how you go about it? Training a mature dog from a shelter can often be easier than starting from scratch with a new pup. Often some of the hardest work will have often been done for you - all you need to do is remind your furry friend of the rules they used to follow. If they were housetrained in their previous home, the re-training process should progress quickly.
The first thing you should do is take your dog out to the yard where you expect it to eliminate. After the dog goes to the toilet, praise it or give it a small reward. Don't stand over your dog and pressure it, give it space. Remember we all like a little privacy when we go to the toilet! If it doesn't want to go then just remember to take it out later on.
Show the dog that it has a bed, somewhere that it knows it can go and escape to at any time. Remember you want the dog to feel safe, then it can relax and then you can enjoy its company to the full. There will be plenty of time for fun and games in the days to come, so don't force the dog to do too much early on, let it become accustomed with its new surroundings.
Try and get into a predictable routine as soon as possible. Dogs prefer a routine so this will help your new friend to settle in.
The best way to train a dog is with several shorter training sessions rather than one very long one. Try working your dog for 5-10 minutes and then have a play break followed by another 5-10 minutes. Training like this several times a day will keep the dog at its best and stop before it starts to find it repetitive.
Remember that your dog is a dog and not a person! Dogs live in the moment so don't cling onto the dog's past and feel sorry for it. Instead move ahead and show the dog that you make the decisions. Do not think that by letting the dog do whatever it wants it will end up happy! A dog is looking for you to be a strong pack leader.
The first thing you should do is take your dog out to the yard where you expect it to eliminate. After the dog goes to the toilet, praise it or give it a small reward. Don't stand over your dog and pressure it, give it space. Remember we all like a little privacy when we go to the toilet! If it doesn't want to go then just remember to take it out later on.
Show the dog that it has a bed, somewhere that it knows it can go and escape to at any time. Remember you want the dog to feel safe, then it can relax and then you can enjoy its company to the full. There will be plenty of time for fun and games in the days to come, so don't force the dog to do too much early on, let it become accustomed with its new surroundings.
Try and get into a predictable routine as soon as possible. Dogs prefer a routine so this will help your new friend to settle in.
The best way to train a dog is with several shorter training sessions rather than one very long one. Try working your dog for 5-10 minutes and then have a play break followed by another 5-10 minutes. Training like this several times a day will keep the dog at its best and stop before it starts to find it repetitive.
Remember that your dog is a dog and not a person! Dogs live in the moment so don't cling onto the dog's past and feel sorry for it. Instead move ahead and show the dog that you make the decisions. Do not think that by letting the dog do whatever it wants it will end up happy! A dog is looking for you to be a strong pack leader.
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Want to find out more about dog training, then visit Dan Allen's dog site on how to select the best dog trainer for your needs.
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