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Training your family dog is simple if you know the basics. You can teach you dog everything from sit to rollover. All you need is a little patience, and these helpful hints.

Before you start training your dog, you need to know that dogs believe that your household is like a pack of dogs. You have the leader, the food gatherer, the companion, and the protector. You need to make yourself known as the leader. This way your dog is into pleasing you. After, you are established as the pack leader, your dog will respond positively to any praise you give them. This works to your benefit, simply because when they do the desire action, you give them praise and they want to do the action willingly the next time.

When going through any training program it is important that you repeat it often. Your dog isn't going to master a trick in one day. It may take a few weeks before they understand what it is they are being praised for. You also need to remember to keep your dog training sessions short. You don't want your dog to get bored. One because you want them to have a positive association to the training, and two it isn't productive. They'll lose focus, you'll get frustrated, and simple waste time. So, notice when your dog looks like they've had enough training for now.

When you are training your dog, do not let him expect a treat. You'll find that dogs are more than willing to perform for praise, so make sure that having a treat is just that; something that happens rarely and when they have been extra good. What you are trying to avoid is letting your dog believe that he will receive the treat whenever he performs his trick. Some well meaning dog owners will give their dog a treat whenever they performs their trick, even when they haven't been asked, and this is really the wrong way to go.

When you want to train your dog, make sure that you end your practice on a high note. Let your dog know how happy you are with them, and make sure that they are eager to get started with their lessons again the next time they roll around. Take some time to make sure that your dog is a good learner and you'll find that they will surprise you!