Training Big Dogs

Large dogs are just as adorable and fun-loving as small dogs. They are also just as capable of training successfully as small dogs because a dog’s makeup is the same: canine. If you own a big dog and want to know the best strategies for teaching your dog appropriate manners, here are some excellent tips to get you started.

8 Tips for Training Your Large Dog

Start Young

If you are adopting a dog at the beginning of its life, this is the perfect time to start training. No dog is too young to learn its name, small commands, or house boundaries. When you bring your puppy home, immediately begin teaching its name and move forward with other commands, such as ‘No,’ ‘Come,’ and ‘Sit.’

If you are adopting an older dog, know that it is not impossible to retrain inappropriate behaviors. It may take extra time, but all dogs at any age are capable of training with the proper methods and tools. Start the same way with your dog’s name, if it is changing, and simple commands. As your adult dog learns it can trust you, it will continue modifying behavior for your home.

Short Leash

Leash training is critical with a large dog because the dog may be able to overtake you in strength during a walk. Keeping your dog on a short leash until it successfully learns good walking manners will give you complete control of where it is going and what it can do. For example, it don’t won’t be able to jump while on a short leash.

Professional Training

Hire a professional dog trainer to provide you with a solid, proven training method that you can instill in your daily life to build a strong bond with your dog while teaching it appropriate behaviors. In-home dog training is a great way to have one-on-one time with your trainer and dog to learn all the steps in reaching your dog’s goals.

Routine

Once you have a training method, find a daily routine schedule that works for you to spend time with your dog on the training principles. Your dog will learn when you start training and will be ready. It will also encourage your relationship-building and work through behavior issues on a daily basis.

1-on-1 Training

Training individually with your dog creates a safe environment for your fur buddy to learn and hear the same commands repeated over and over. Whether one-on-one with a trainer, yourself, or a family member, providing your dog with undivided attention during your daily training time is essential. This dedicated time to entirely focus on your dog lets it know that nothing else in the world matters. Your dog naturally desires to please you, so showing how proud you are of it while training is extra motivation for it to change behaviors quickly.

Clicker Training Tools

Having tools that help your dog recognize when it needs to listen and obey can make training easier. Clicker devices are well-known for training dogs to listen to a particular clicking noise before being given a command. Then, the dog knows that it is to follow the instructions immediately. When you use a clicker for a large dog, it creates the opportunity for you to simply create a clicking sound to get your dog’s attention instead of yelling at your dog or repeating instructions many times.

Dog’s Place

When training a dog for proper behaviors, it is beneficial to have a safe place for your dog to go when it needs a time-out, redirection, calm down period, or to rest. Pet-friendly rugs are excellent for large dogs to have one in a special corner of the house to lay on when needed. You can use the soft rug to soothe your dog’s anxiety during the 4th of July firework displays or as a place for your dog to rest when guests visit. Training your dog to stay in its safe place is critical to them following commands and behaving appropriately during various situations.

Rewards and Extra Love

Your dog craves your attention and praise. It aims to please you at all times. When training a large dog, it is vital to ensure you have plenty of treats on hand for good behavior. Giving your dog additional praise, pats, rubs, or hugs will help encourage positive manners and keep your dog excited to do the right thing.

Start Training Your Large Dog Today

Whether you want to train your dog at home with a trainer or on your own, having the tools and strategies to communicate with your dog is the best way to train. Clickers, short leashes, dog-friendly rugs, and treats are all pieces of your successful training plan. Find the best training solution for your dog and build stronger bonds today!