As a dog parent, you have a lot of responsibility to keep your pet safe, make sure they feel loved and teach them proper behavior.
Training a dog, however, can be a big challenge, often leading pet parents to give up.
With the right help, you can turn your naughty pooch into a well-behaved companion. Here are four tips to get you started.
Home security camera system
While this may seem redundant if you consider your dog to be your home’s security, a home security camera system can be used as a tool to check in on your dog, while also adding an extra layer of protection for your home. Invest in a setup that offers mobile viewing through a smartphone app so you can see what your dog is up to throughout the day while you’re away from the house.
For a more useful training tool for your furry friend, get a system that has two-way audio capability. With this option, you can say hello, offer positive reinforcement or correct any misbehavior while you’re checking in on your pet using the app.
Portable treat pouch
When you commit to training your dog and curbing those bad behaviors, you need to be prepared to be teaching around the clock, not just when it’s convenient for you. To make the most of your training efforts, keep treats on you at all times, so you are always prepared to reinforce your dog’s good behavior. To make this easier and prevent your pockets from smelling of dog treats, get a to-go treat pouch to carry around. These pouches can be tossed in your backpack or purse or be clipped on your belt for easy access to dog treats whenever you need them.
Training clicker
A training clicker is a useful tool that can help you use positive reinforcement to break your dog’s bad habits. Simply click the training clicker as soon as you catch your dog doing something positive, like when they demonstrate good actions in a situation that might typically trigger behavior. Following the click, you then dispense a treat to your dog.
The effectiveness of training clickers has little to do with the clicking noise itself and much more to do with the fact that a treat is dispensed to the dog immediately after the click. Be sure that you maintain the integrity of this method for continued effectiveness by always offering a treat after a click, even if you accidentally click it.
Sturdy, comfortable collar
A sturdy collar is essential so that you have a reliable place to attach your dog’s identification tags. But don’t forget that the best dog collars need to be comfortable for your pooch, too. Uncomfortable collars can make your dog unruly and less likely to follow your instructions during training. The best collars have a smooth, flat underside, and optimal materials are nylon, leather, and cloth. Be sure to choose a collar with a non-irritating fastener that is adjustable so that you can get the best possible fit.
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