Permanently Training Your Dog

Having a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can ever have. It can also be one of the most frustrating experiences of your life. That adorable bundle of love can easily develop plenty of bad habits if you indulge him too much. All aspects of the dog's life must be carefully planned beforehand, to establish sleeping, eating and play times etc.

Owning a well-trained dog will be a great experience, but the process won't be a breeze. It's rather clich, but the training is a journey you and your dog have to take together, in gradual steps. Firstly, you must ensure your family is involved in the training and plays an active part in the process.

Then, you have to agree on what the dog's role is going to be, and where the dogs is allowed in the house - work out all the details. Your dog needs very specific and reliable instructions if it is to be trained properly.

Once all the details are worked out, stick to it and make a routine out of it all. Dogs are habitual creatures and when they know what's to be expected, they are more secure and happy.

The dog's feeding times are significant to it's proper training. While an odd treat is alright, don't encourage it. Appoint fixed times for everything. Having a fixed schedule is the best way to train a dog correctly, because the moment you deviate from the routine, none of the messes can be blamed on the dog.

Once you have those things in place, you can move on to simple tricks and commands, like sit, come, roll over - the whole deal. Here, nothing works as well as bribery and very lavish praise.

Remember that your dog loves being praised and petted, and when it does something right, tell it so, and encourage it, so that it will know what to do the next time.

When your dog does something wrong - and it is bound to - do not lose your temper. A dog trained with love is a treasure to have in the house. A dog trained with fear will have its spirit broken, and a bundle of joy that thinks the world of you does not deserve that