A dog adoption or rescue is just the first step. Once you bring the dog home, you will need to make some changes to accommodate him and also make plans for dog training. In this article, we shall be focusing on the training skills that you need to pay the most attention to.
House training
Unless your dog will spend his time in the kennel outside the house, then you will need to house train him. The first point you need to understand is that potty training is all about patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. After a puppy adoption in San Diego, here are the basics you should focus on in training:
- Supervision. When you start on house training, you need to limit your dog’s access to other areas of the house.
- Set a routine. Dogs are creatures of habit. Feeding your dog at the same time every day and offering regular walks and outdoor potty breaks can help condition him to ‘go’ at set times.
- Don’t punish him for making a mess. Accidents do happen and dogs do not understand cause and effect like humans do. Clean up the mess and know that he will get better with time.
- Reward him. When he gets something right, reward him.
Come
When you call your dog, you want him to come to you. This is something you will have to train him to do. Training your dog on this must start with a leash in a quiet place. Move away from him and tell him to ‘come’. The command should be given once and enthusiastically. Your body language must be open and relaxed. To encourage him, show him a treat. Reward him when he complies. Increase the distance between you and the dog gradually. This is a skill you should teach him immediately after a dog rescue in San Diego.
Stay
Teaching your dog to stay is a command that can keep him safe. Teaching this skills involves three Ds; Distance, Duration and Distraction. Start up close and place him on a sit or a sitting position. Hold out your hand towards him and say, ‘Stay’. Reward him for complying. You should repeat this until he gets the idea that he will be treated when he sits. You can then increase the distance between you and him over time.
There are so many more important skills you need to teach a dog immediately after a puppy rescue. You can teach him as many tricks as you want but focus on the above skills and then add ‘Leave It’, ‘Sit’, ‘Down’, and ‘Settle’. Don’t be afraid to work with a dog trainer.