Dog obedience is very important, so it is wise to train a dog early and thoroughly. There are a wide variety of different training methods for dogs, and what works for some dogs may not work for others. Many people train their own dogs, while other people turn to obedience schools for dog training. Here are some basic tips on dog training that we hope you can put to good use.

Positive reinforcement is the most widely recognized technique used in training a dog. This is normally achieved by a reward system. The reward can come in the form of verbal praising of the dog’s actions or, an even more effective manifestation, in the way of a treat. The dog treat as a reward virtually guarantees cooperation from your pet.Many pet owners may have to choose a form of negative reinforcement in order to curb bad behavior. The negative reinforcement may come by way of a sharply spoken “bad dog” or the trusty rolled up newspaper tapped on the nose. There is another level when it comes to negative reinforcement and this is found in the form of shock collars.A bark collar is a common device used in dog training for dogs that bark too frequently. A bark collar can be fitted around the dog’s neck and will send out a mild electric shock every time the dog barks. By doing so, the dog will eventually learn not to bark.An invisible fence uses the same basic collar along with a wire buried around the perimeter of the yard or section of property that achieves the same basic effect as a bark collar. Each time the dog attempts to cross over the barrier, he receives a shock, letting him know he has wandered too far. After repeated attempts, the dog learns what her boundaries are.Housebreaking a dog is a very important step during training. Both types of reinforcements should be implemented, keeping the negative reinforcement extremely mild. When a dog goes to the bathroom outside, she should be rewarded. If she goes to the bathroom inside, use mild dicipline. A dog’s name should not be used for negative reinforcement as the dog may think he is just being summoned.Training a dog is not often a very easy task, but it can be very rewarding. Dog training takes a lot of patience and love and laziness will often yield poor results. A disciplined dog will be a joy to have around the home, but only if the master has the discipline to train them properly.