Never yell or strike your animal (lightly also counts as abuse). It is never okay to hit or strike an animal with force. Some redirection is fine and small little taps on the body are OK, but never the head.
Walking on lead:
Always keep dog on your side opposite from the street, this is especially important for puppies and hyperactive or reactive dogs.
Hold the lead in your dominant hand, wrap it around your hand with your thumb always being exposed as to not break any finger or wrist.
With your other hand leave however much slack you wish to give the dog and hold the lead up straight toward your hip. This teaches the dog to walk by your side even if let off leash in safer open or enclosed parks.
Remember the most important commands for new animals to learn are their name, to sit, to wait, to watch me if distracted by small animals, and come when called by name.
Use a firm tone when training, somewhere in-between your normal talking voice and a monotone, but never shout as it could cause fear in the dog and could cause them to run away, or retaliate and strike.
Sit:
Put a treat in your right hand (or which ever hand you use to write with) and use your other hand to gently push the pup into a sitting position. Repeat with the command "sit" each time the dog sits with its bottom on the ground.
If you prefer, clicker training it is a great tool, but not completely necessary. You can easily just whistle or click you tongue to make the same sound.
After days of practicing he or she should slowly start sitting on their on.
It is always good to make them sit and stay for breakfast and dinner so they have to constantly work to be fed or rewarded; treats are great tools for training, but if you get quality and tasty food for dogs it has the same affect.
Lay down:
Create a bridge with your legs, put your one leg in a 4 or pyramid shape while sitting on the floor, cross legged. Place a treat under the 4 leg then slowly release your leg lower and lower until the dog is in a laying position then either simply say "down or lay" so "down" is not confused with "get down" or "get off".
Meeting strange people or animals:
NEVER let someone especially a young toddler or child approach your animal without your permission.
It does not matter how well you think your dog is socialized in your own home, never let your guard down, other pet owners unfortunately are usually not as proactive in socializing especially with strong willed breeds such as, but not exclusive to, all bully breeds, Rotties, Dobermans, Mastiffs, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentinos, and any dogs that a person can make into a typical watch or guard dog and make to look and act aggressively toward any person beside themselves and family members.
Always be cautious with small breeds too, especially Chihuahuas, because of their small statures most tend to believe they must attack to protect not only their owners, but also themselves.
Introducing yourself:
Slowly extend your hand to the dog, watch for signs of stress, tension, fear, or aggression.
Stress: shaking, foaming of nose or mouth and red or crying eyes.
Fear: ears back, tail between legs, hairs on back slightly raised, and rapidly shaking.
Agression: tail raised straight out or upward; foaming and low growling, in a fighting stance all four paws crouched like a lion preying on their game, all hairs on back or spinal column raised and aggressor bark.
NEVER allow a young child to approach a large or any size dog without parental guidance.
Any other questions you can google to look for other tips or ask your primary pet care provider in advance before ever listening to other's advice.
*** All training tips came from a self taught young adult using animal behavioral methodology. What works on some dogs will not work on all dogs.
Remember that Rome, the World, and the universe did not come together over night, it took centuries and light years for us as a unite to come together and be able to domesticate canines for companionship. So always respect your animals first and never, ever let your animal get to the point of abuse. If you can no longer afford your pet, have lost your pet, and need tips on how to calm an aggressive dog go to several shelters and organizations for all opinions before making that horrible final decision for your loved pet.
Disclaimer - I have had 15 animals in my life and they have all been able to be cordial with one another with only minimum, but immediately intervened fights, and lots of patience, time, love, and positive reinforcement. I received my first dog at 10 and learned to train him by myself from my amazing (deceased; may God rest her soul in Heaven) mother and partner at the time and have lots of knowledge of books on specific breeds and an understanding of how to train specific types of animals, not just dogs and cats. I am only 22 this year, but have 10+ years safely training, rehabilitating, rescuing, and saving animals lives.
Just remember to never give up on the animal you chose to give a safe haven to. Their lives are immediately handed over to you and should be treated as your own flesh and blood. Always ask questions before, during and after you close the adoption or purchase of a specialized breed.
The most important thing about safely handling and training a new animal is to remember that the animal has either just left its parents and breeder's home where they grew up in their first 6-8 weeks after birth, or possible abuse, or from living feral on the street. They are more fearful of you than you are of them. Treat animals as you would treat a family member.
I hope I've helped.
Thank you and enjoy.
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
