The Secrets to Training Small Dogs

By April Claeyssens

Training a small dog needs attention and care. While large dogs are used as watch or guard dogs, small dogs are essentially known as companions. This tendency will motivate you to treat your pet as a puppy, even when it's grown. It is important to know the secrets to small dog training to boost your dog's confidence and obedience levels.

Train your small dog on a raised surface:

Small dog training should be started at an early age and on a raised surface. You may already have a picnic table to begin training your puppy. This will increase his concentration and he will start listening to you obediently. After you've spent some time training in this manner he will begin follow your commands at ground level.

Use consistent commands:

Your small dog is eager to know how to please you. Use the same hand signals and voice commands to train your dog. When you want him to sit, use the same command every time and only say it once. The command is sit, not sit, sit, sit. This will help your dog recognize the commands and act accordingly.

Choosing the right collar:

Choosing the right collar is important in small dog training. Your dog will have a small neck and therefore a small collar. It is recommended that you use a harness when walking your dog as pulling on his collar could have a grave impact. Choosing the right sized collar and harness will also make your dog a lot more comfortable.

Reward your dog for good behavior:

When you dog catches on to what you're trying to teach him, give him one of his favorite biscuits as a reward. He will soon realize that he gets a treat for doing the command correctly. It will only get better from there.

Socialize your small dog early:

Small dogs may seem helpless early on if they are not socialized. By socializing your dog both of you will be a lot happier. You won't have to worry about his behavior and he will not be frightened by unknown people or things. If you have other pets or children at home, socializing your small dog is crucial. It's very important that your dog doesn't see other children as scary.

If you train your small dog to understand the 8 basic commands by hand and/or voice, you'll have a lot happier dog. Dogs like to know the house rules. They also enjoy pleasing you. So, both you and your dog will be a lot more content if you master the secrets of training small dogs.

Hi, my name is April. I've written this article about dog training so you can learn how to keep dog's behavior under control. You'll be happier and so will your best friend. Please visit my website http://savemoneysavetimenow.com/dogtraining where you will find more behavior training.