It is wonderful to have a dog as a pet. Dogs have an unconditional love and affection for their owners that is unlike anything else. However, they do require a lot of attention. Dogs that are not trained properly may be unruly, dangerous and even destructive.
Despite the great benefits of obedience school, not everyone has the time or money to take a class. Thanks to dog training books, it is possible to train your dog at home on your own. However, choosing dog training books may be difficult since there are literally hundreds available to you.
What Do You Want To Teach Your Dog?
When selecting a training book, knowing what you wish to train is the first step. If you own a puppy, shop for books that teach you about puppies, house training, and other early dog education topics.
For older dogs, a general obedience book would be a better choice. Additionally, if you have a particular problem you want to address, such as separation anxiety, look for a book that specializes in that topic. A more generalized book will not be able to provide the same level of help.
Be Sure You Are Using A Reliable Resource
Next, let’s look at the author. You need to ensure that the book you select is trustworthy if you plan to follow their advice. Seek out dog behavior experts. The fact that one has owned a dog for many years does not automatically qualify one as an expert.
Make sure anyone who has been active in the dog training industry for some time has kept up with the latest developments in behavior and training. A 20-year veteran of the industry is wonderful, but make sure their methods are current.
Positive Reinforcement Methods
When buying training books, always ensure that the emphasis is on positive reinforcement. The use of positive reinforcement has become a major development in dog training over the past decade or so.
Dogs used to be punished for bad behavior in the past. To a certain extent, that works, but studies have now shown that rewarding good behavior is more effective than punishing it. By punishing bad behavior, you teach them what not to do, instead of what they should do.
Providing your dog with praise or treats for good behavior will encourage him to perform what you want. A shock collar and choke chains can be useful in training, but they should be viewed as a last resort. You should avoid any book that starts you out with punishment.
Training a dog can be frustrating and expensive if you don’t have the right training tools. The best way to learn how to train your dog is with a book that will teach you step by step how to train him or her.
There’s no need to spend a fortune for your dog to be trained. Choosing the best dog training books will help you learn to handle many of the most common and basic problems with your dog right at home.
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