Our focus here is simple, we are interested in providing simple but useful advice on how to train a dog using kind, non aggressive methods that produce the desired outcome for you and your dog.

How to Train a Dog: The Important Info

How well do you know your dog? Odds are that your dog knows you better than you know him. Dogs are so familiar with their owners that even though a person who stands 300 yards away is invisible to the dog its owner can stand a mile away while waving his arms and the dog will  almost instantly recognise his owner. The love for one another is mutual. Studies that have been completed and proven that most dog owners smile more often than they would if they didn’t own a dog.

Learning to understand dogs is the first step on the journey to successful dog ownership.

How to Train a Dog: Understanding Fear in Dogs

Dogs have a variety of ways that they may react to their fears. Usually a dog owner will notice an odd reaction by their dog however many do not realise that the reaction was caused by something that frightened their dog so they do not search for a solution to help their dog. Most owners say that their dog is not afraid of anything not because their dog is the bravest dog in the world, rather because they do not know that their dog is afraid of something.

As a person committed to learning how to train a dog in the right way, understanding how canine fear can manifest is another vital element in the dog training process.

Understanding Dogs: Learn How Dog Communication Works

Dog communication pertains to body movements and sounds employed by dogs to convey signals to other dogs and other animals including humans. Understanding dog communication or learning to speak dog is of utmost importance especially when the dog is going to live where there are children around

Alertness is shown when the tail and the ears are held high. Fear is shown when the tail is tucked between the legs and he is defensive when the fur on the tail stands on end.

Slight, slow wags of the tail and laid back ears mean that the dog is curious about their surroundings. A happy or excited dog wags his tail substantially rapidly, and if the hips are pulled with the wagging, the message contains submission to a pack leader.

Expressions of the mouth show a dog’s mood. It might yawn or lick its mouth when it wants to be left alone, is sleepy, confused or stressed. It may pant with relaxed lips covering the teeth or with the mouth open when it is happy or wants to play. A snarl with retracted lips and bared teeth and fangs is a sign of aggression or violence. A vicious snarl showing all the teeth is a warning that when someone comes closer, he will attack.

A raised eyebrow may imply interest while lowered brows indicate confusion or mild anger. One eyebrow raised may suggest confusion. Eyes narrowed to slits may signify fondness for someone he is looking at. Half moon eyes means the dog wants to be left alone.

Leaning of a dog’s head to the right or to the left sometimes indicates an interest for a newly heard sound that he is trying to understand. Alternately stamping the left and right foot whilst the hind legs are still shows excitement, or need for attention.

Playful or excited barks are short and sharp. A stressed dog’s bark is high pitched and rhythmic that tends to go soar in pitch as he becomes more disturbed.

Growls should be observed carefully as it is used as warning, threat or to invite fun and games. A soft, low-pitched growl can mean that the dog is threatened and may attack. A powerful growl without showing teeth may indicate an invitation to play. Be very careful and exercise prudence when a dog growls

Howling is a sign of separation anxiety, like when his owner is away or to make long distance communicate with other dogs. Dogs howl when they hear sirens or other loud noises as a response to what they interpret as another howl.

A whine is a high pitched noise produced through the nose with the mouth shut that means that the dog wants something or needs attention. A whimper or a yelp is a sign that the dog is in pain. A whimper accompanied by licking, jumping and barking means a strong excitement as when he sees his master coming. A whimper has lower volume, is softer and higher pitched than the bark.

It is important to observe not only the dog’s vocalisation or body movement, but to relate all of the evident signs that the dog is trying to convey to understand his moods and feelings.

Where to Start: How to Train a Dog

Here’s a short selection of our most popular dog training guides…

How to Train a Dog to Come – Toilet Training Puppies – Dog Aggression Training – Home Dog Training – Dog Training Equipment

How to Train a Dog is a post from: How to Train a Dog