First Steps in How to Train a Big Dog
Depending on where you are in the dog ownership experience, there are many different first steps that you can take to ensure a great relationship. However, we are going to assume that you are just getting started and don’t even have a dog quite yet.
Step #1-Step one is not really a training tip but a decision tip. Lots of owners end up with the wrong dogs because they are given to them as gifts or because they failed to do some research on the breed. You can’t look at the color or size of a dog and say “I want one of those.” It can turn into a nightmare later. So, do your research and pick a dog that matches what you want and fits your family and environment. The American Kennel Club is a good place to start when it comes to researching dog breeds.
Step #2-The next thing you might want to consider even before starting any kind of official dog obedience training is to establish yourself and your family as the leader of the pack. You can do this by creating boundaries for your dog and being aware of anything that might be considered “catering to” or “spoiling” your dog. Things like letting your dog sleep in the bed with you, eating before you, and having the full run of every part of the house can eventually lead to dominance and lack of respect problems later. Start when he is young and establish the rules of the household on your terms and stick to them.
Step #3-Step three would be to start obedience training early and make sure that your dog is socialized early. Some new owners think that socializing a dog means to get him around other dogs. However, it’s a litle bigger than just a few dogs in the local dog park. Socialization should include dogs, family members, kids, bikes. lawnmowers, vacuums, car travel, and any other living or non-living thing that your dog will come into contact with on a regular basis. If you have never experienced it before, something as simple as a ringing doorbell can drive you crazy in later years if your dog hasn’t been properly exposed.
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