The natural love of dogs and the intrinsic desire to please their owners makes it very easy to train dog to like other dogs. It is essential that they (and you!) teach your dog how to behave appropriately around other dogs. Training your dog to like other dogs is similar to training them to like people, because dogs are also members of your family. Teaching your dog to behave properly around other animals, people and children can be challenging but not impossible.
One of the easiest ways to train your dog to like other dogs is through dog training tricks. Tricks provide positive reinforcement – you give your dog positive reinforcement for performing a command correctly. This provides a clear ‘replacement’ for the negative consequences you might receive if your dog were to do something wrong. This method is used most often by therapy dog organizations to train both dogs and handlers.
Some of the simplest dog training tips deal with the way you introduce your puppy to different people, animals and situations. As a puppy, you will likely only encounter people and animals at home, so your dog will most likely not have much exposure to other people or animals before you bring him into the family home. It is important to start dog training early to allow your dog a slow introduction to different people, places and things so he is not stressed out and nervous when it is time for the real introduction. Some simple dog training tricks you can use include walking your dog to the door, greeting other dogs by sniffing them, asking your puppy to ‘sit’, guiding him gently in and out of his owner’s chair and asking him to ‘come’. These simple techniques will set the foundation for a more positive training relationship with other animals and people.
If you already own a dog, you may have a difficult time trying to break down the social skills your dog has developed over the years. Therapy dogs are dogs who are not allowed to interact with any other dogs or people before they begin their therapy. Therapy dogs are usually introduced into the group either as a form of adoption or because the trainer wants to provide the dog with an opportunity to help a sick or injured person. Therapy dogs are trained to be able to calm a frightened animal and perform other simple tasks like blowing his nose, picking up objects and helping to distract him from fear. Most therapy dogs are also highly skilled show dogs and have a very good professional reputation in the community.
You may also want to look into starting a therapy dog program. In the UK, there are many organizations that offer classes to teach you how to train and work with dogs in this specialized field. In the US, therapy dog organizations are very active and have national programs to help train you and other dog lovers to be good therapy dogs. The AKC and other organizations offer certification courses to teach dog training to people who are interested in trying to make a good dog out of themselves.
When you start training your dog, it’s important to remember that he is just a puppy. Puppies can’t really understand things like what is OK and what is not, so it’s best to start training them while they are still puppies. If you start training your dog too soon, he may become fearful and withdrawn. If you want him to be a well-adjusted dog, you should start training him when he is about six months old or wait until he is at least one-year-old. Here are some basic tips that will help you with training your dog.
One of the best methods that works for many dogs is positive reinforcement training. This method encourages your dog to perform the actions that you want him to do by rewarding him with treats and praises. Positive reinforcement helps your puppy learn better behavior and can even prevent unwanted behaviors like begging for more treats during meal time. If your dog does something you don’t like, simply redirect his behavior and give him another treat. You should also keep in mind that negative reinforcement can backfire against you, so only use it under certain circumstances.
Dogs are pack animals, so it’s your responsibility as a dog owner to show your dog how to behave accordingly in the home. If you don’t train your dog well, he might develop aggressive behavior toward people and other animals. Remember that if you have other pets at home, they will learn from your dog, too. Training your dog to be a canine good citizen should start as early as possible to help him develop a positive, non-aggressive attitude toward people and other animals.
