Training your dog not only helps it learn new tricks but also makes it easier for you to live with them. It also makes it easier for you and fun for them when you take them out for walks.
Whether you are training your dog as a puppy or as an adult dog, there are a few training things that you must have, including;
1. A fence
Fences help your dog learn boundaries of where they should and should not go. The type of fence you install, however, determines how effective the training will be. You have to look for a fence that will not only ensure that the dog remains in the pet area but also does not get hurt.
One of the best fences is the smart dog fence, and right now the Halo collar reigns supreme. Also known as an invisible fence, this is a type of fence where you only plant a few flags in the pet area and use a transmitter and a receiver to alert your dog when they cross the boundary.
You place the transmitter in the house, and the receiver comes as a collar you place around the neck of your dog. To install the smart dog fence;
•
Identify where you will place the transmitter.
You should install the transmitter in an indoor place to keep it safe from
weather conditions like rain and snow. However, keep it close enough such that
the transmissions reach the furthest point of the pet area.
Keep it away from metal gadgets like refrigerators because those could block the signal. Since the wires of the system will connect directly to the transmitter, consider installing it on an exterior wall facing the yard, near a grounded electric outlet.
• Set
up the receiver
Install the battery in the receiver by lining up as indicated on the collar. That
gives off a sound or beep anytime your dog comes near the boundary. It might
also generate a static correction signal via the contact points.
That doesn’t hurt your dog but lets it know when it should turn around. To activate the static correction feature on the receiver, remove the plastic cover and press the correction level button on top till the indicator button flashes.
It flashes from 1-4 times to indicate the correction level. If you just started training your dog with this type of fence, start on correction level 1.
•
Identify where the fence will be
Inspect your yard and identify the best place for you to install the fence.
Measure out the area, and consider structures in the yard and landscapes that
could interrupt the dog training.
To effectively determine the boundaries, you need help from someone. First, hold up the receiver to the height of your dog’s neck, and walk to where you want them to stop in the yard.
The other person should then turn down the boundary control from 8, and when the receiver starts beeping, have them stop turning the dial. Now walk around the pet area and when the receiver beeps, plant your flags.
Keep
doing that and plant your flags around 10 feet apart until you have a visual
flag fence.
If you are working with a wire that you need to bury instead of using flags,
buy an 18-gauge wire or thicker, long enough to go round that area.
Ensure it is a few inches linger just in case. Dig a trench or make a cut in the ground around your pet training area, which should be around 6 inches deep.
Lay down the wire, bury it and step on the ground to make it firmer. Connect the two ends of the wire to the respective terminals on your transmitter, and tighten them using a screwdriver.
2. Treats
Everyone loves appreciation when they do something nice, and it gives the motivation to keep doing the right thing. That principle also works positively for your dog training. After they do things correctly, ensure you give them a treat.
That not only keeps them motivated but also makes them learn faster and master the things you teach them. Your treats should be small and something your dog loves. You can buy re-sized ones or break them as you give them to your dog.
3. Clickers
Clickers are devices that make clicking sounds anytime your dog does something you lie. That clicking sound acts as a marker word to tell your dog that they did what you wanted them to do and makes it easier for them to repeat that in the future.
Clickers come in different styles, shapes, and sizes. There are small hand-held ones, one you can have as wrist straps or one you can fit in the collar of your dog.
4. Collars or harnesses
Collars are important to identify your dog if it gets lost, but they are also important for training. Buy your dog a collar and harness depending on its size and the type of training you are doing. Flat collars are the best if you are doing positive reinforcement training.
If you want something to tame or control a dog that is hard to walk, a harness or head halter is the best.
5. Leashes
Leashes come in different sizes, but to train your dog how to stay close to you, choose a standard 6-foot one. You can either buy the one you hold using your hands if you are taking the dog for a walk, but if you are jogging, choose the one you tie around your waist to keep your hands free.
6. Toys
When training your dog, you must incorporate playtime between sessions. That keeps your dog active and interested in the training. Bring along his favorite play toys, either chew toys or treat-dispensing toys.
7. Training books and videos
While dog training might sound easy to some, doing it the wrong way could yield undesired results. Carry a training book or download some training videos to get advice from the best dog trainers. That way, you learn the basic training tactics and learn how to do them well.
We all want our dogs to learn different instructions fast. However, trying to do too much within little time could be stressful to your dog, which might yield negative results. Instead of long and less frequent training sessions, go for more frequent short ones.
You also need to be consistent and patient with the training because it takes some time for the dog to learn everything.
