Training basics require the owner or potential owner to understand the pet in order to come up with suitable solutions that will help create a happy atmosphere for both the pet and those around.

Basic Information

There are many aspects to look into when trying to train a pet and the following are some of the area to consider and how to go about doing so:

• One of the main areas that is cause for concern and stress is toilet training the pet. Some pets are easier to train in this area than others. There are ways to explore when it comes to toilet training a dog and with a little research and a lot of patience, it is possible to find the best way that will suit both the dog and the owner well.
• Another area that is usually a cause for concern is how the dog behaves in any given environment. Some breeds adapt well to changes in their surroundings, such as noise levels, weather conditions, more people present and anything else that alters the usual immediate environment of the animal while others can be greatly disturbed.
• Training the dog to refrain from destroying anything and everything around is also another area that needs consideration. A lot of pet owners often complain about their belongings being damaged by their pets and they feel powerless in addressing this problem. Here to with some research into the matter, the owner should be able to come up with solutions in dealing with this problem in a rational and non-threatening manner.
• Training a pet to accept a new addition to the family is also equally important, especially when there is an addition of a baby.

What equipment do you need?

Before deciding on what equipment to use to train the dog, the owner must first identify the purpose of the training and the end goal desired. There are a lot of issues that contribute to a training session and having a clear goal in mind will help both the dog and the owner to work together to achieve the goal.

What you will need?

There is also the need to identify the type of training that will be required based on the goal set. If the training is only to create some boundaries for the dog, then the owner will be able to identify a less vigorous training style to use to achieve the objective, with the least amount of heartache on both sides. The equipment needed will also be very basic, such as a dog leash, a dog collar and perhaps some tasty treats.

However if the training is going to be for more focused goals such as to create a championship show dog or a seeing eye dog, then the equipment needed will be considerably different and definitely more custom made to these goals. The more complex the goal, the more focused the training equipment will be.

These types of equipment will usually have to be sourced from specialty shops that are well equipped to provide a variety of specifically designed items for dog training. The local pet shops will usually not carry such custom made equipment, thus there is a need to know what is needed before the actual sourcing process begins.

The owner should also be well versed in how to use the equipment purchased and understand its relevant purposes. Failing to do this very important task will not help in the actual training exercise as the dog will only end up being confused and frustrated when the commands given vary too much and the equipment used does not correspond with it.

Start with easy commands

Teaching a dog to respond to certain commands in a very specific way requires communicating with the animal on a level that can easily be understood. The dog’s response to the commands will indicate the understanding of the command given and if the desired outcome is evident then the command is considered understood. Therefore, the owner should ideally take the time of identify a few simple commands and put them into practice in a simple and nonthreatening way.

Start Small

The following are some of the more popular commands that most dogs can relate to:

1. Come – this is probably the most important command that should be taught to the animal as soon as possible. This is important in portraying to the dog, who is in control, and training the dog until an immediate response is received to the command will be needed.
2. Sit – this is another command that is popularly taught to the dog as it enables the owner to get the dog to focus and be still. Whenever the dog gets too excitable, this command is usually issued to quite the animal and create a sense of calm. This command is also used when there is a need to stop the dog from moving around and is especially useful for meal times. Training the dog to sit and wait to be served its meal is a popular reason for this command.
3. Stay – this command is usually given when there is a need to immobilize the dog immediately with any physical intervention. It is usually issued to keep the dog from causing a stir or becoming a nuisance to others around. However, this is not really an easy command to get the dog to participate in as dogs are generally very curious and friendly animals and restraining them can be a task.

Excerpted from the book Training Your Dog.

This excerpt has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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