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Are you planning to do canine training yourself? If you don’t want to hire a professional dog trainer, then you should make sure you’re doing it right for your sake and, more importantly, for your pet’s sake. But, don’t worry, even though dog training can be a tad challenging, you’ll love and enjoy every moment of it! Plus, it will strengthen your bond with your dog. Some people are okay hiring dog trainers but don’t know where to start.

Before anything else, we highly encourage you to do your research. Whether you plan to train your dog on your own or hire a trainer, you must know everything there is to know about dog training because if the wrong training methods are used, you won’t get the results you want. It would be a complete waste of time and energy both for you and your dog. So, we’ve compiled some easy steps that can serve as your guide if this is your first time considering dog training.

#1 Hire a Professional Dog Trainer

We’re not going to lie to you, the easiest and most convenient way to train your dog with minimal effort is to hire a professional dog trainer. Hiring a dog training doesn’t mean you won’t be involved. It will still require your involvement but the good thing is that dog trainers know what they are doing. Therefore, your first step is to find a skilled, experienced, and reputable dog trainer. If you have a puppy, you can enroll your pet in a puppy kindergarten. After kindergarten, you can sing it up for training class followed by obedience class.

There are plenty of classes to choose from! There are private classes, one-on-one classes, group classes, etc. Talk to a trainer and ask about your options. These trainings will teach your dog basic commands such as stay, sit, and come among others. Once your dog masters the basic, your trainer will offer more advanced commands for it to follow.

#2 Choose Positive Reinforcement

When you start reading blogs and books about dog training you’ll encounter different dog training styles and strategies. Make sure you pick positivity over all other training methods. Positive reinforcement is by far the most popular dog training method because it’s dog-friendly and more importantly, it works! This is the only training that your dog will surely enjoy because it’s fun. According to animal behaviorists, the old ways of dog training which used physical pain and harsh corrections may have worked once, twice or thrice but it’s not safe to use in the long term because your dog will never be able to comprehend why you’re angry.

According to a study done at the University of Pennsylvania, when aggressive dogs were trained using aversive techniques, confrontation, and aggression the effect wasn’t favorable and in the end, it backfired and the dogs became even more aggressive. In other words, the aggression wasn’t addressed, it was only made worse. On the other hand, non-aggressive training methods like providing rewards for good behavior significantly reduced aggressive response.

Positive reinforcement helps you better communicate with your dog since it is clear that when you give a reward it means you are pleased with the behavior. Your dog will likely repeat the behavior to get another reward. The reward may come in different forms like treats, toys, a walk in the park, or petting. However, make sure you provide the treat soon after your dog performs the command so it can relate the reward with its obedience.

#3 Training Sessions Should Be Kept Short

Don’t train your dog on the first day it arrives in your home. Git if a few days. Let it settle and allow it to familiarize with the place and everyone in the household before you start training. Also, keep in mind that training sessions should be short. The ideal time frame for training is between ten to fifteen minutes for every sessions. You may repeat the session in the afternoon or in the later part of the day but just make sure to keep it brief. Don’t get discouraged easily if your dog doesn’t get it during the first try. It usually takes a series of trainings until your dog masters the command.

#4 Don’t Train If Your Dog Is Not In The Mood

It’s useless to train a dog that’s not in the mood because it will not be receptive. The best times to train your dog is when it’s. not tired, hot or just came after a long playtime. If your dog isn’t focused, you’ll only waste time with training.

Takeaway

These tips should help get you to a good start. Good luck! It’s not going to be a walk in the park but you’ll enjoy the process nevertheless.

How often do you see your dentist? When was the last time you actually made an effort to set an appointment with your dentist? If it was six months ago then you’re on the right track but if you can’t remember the last time you sat in a dental chair, now that’s something to worry about. You see, dental appointments are vital not just for your dental health but also for your overall health. Unfortunately, not a lot of people are aware of the importance of having yearly dental visits. Just so you know, if you deliberately avoid your dentist because you’re scared of “painful” treatments or you just want to avoid the fees, know that there will be risks involved.

The following are important reasons why it is crucial that you see your dentist at least twice a year.

Early Detection of Oral Cancer

Do you know that thousands of people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year? And just as many dice because of the disease. One of the reasons why people die is because the cancer wasn’t caught early. This is why it is necessary that you regularly see your dentist because dental health professionals can detect signs and symptoms of oral cancer. Early diagnosis will prevent the disease from advancing. You see, when cancer cells start to spread more aggressive treatments will be done and, in some cases, the treatments are not strong enough to stop the cancer cells from metastasizing.

To Keep Your Teeth Plaque and Tartar Free

Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss after every meal you will still be susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup. Sure, brushing and flossing can remove food debris from your teeth but there are certain areas in your mouth that your toothbrush can’t reach and these are the areas that are prone to plaque and tartar buildup. The only person who can effectively rid your mouth of any traces of plaque and tartar is your dental health professional. Your dentist has the necessary instruments to check all angles and crevices of your teeth and the tools needed to scrape off stubborn plaque and tartar.

To Be Free of Gum Disease

When plaque is not removed immediately it will solidify and turn into hard-to-remove tartar. These usually collect along your gumline. Eventually, tartar buildup will irritate your gums and cause an infection called gingivitis. Patients with gingivitis often complain of bleeding, painful and sore gums. When your gums become so infected it could result to tooth loss. The good news is that gum disease can be treated as long as it is caught during its early stage. Brushing, flossing and professional teeth cleaning can reverse gingivitis but if the infection has become so advanced, more complex treatments may be necessary to preserve your oral health.

Teach You the Proper Way to Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Do you know that thousands of patients visit their dentist because of tooth decay and cavities? And what’s surprising is that these people actually brush and floss their teeth daily. What could be the reason why they developed tooth decay? The answer is simple; they were brushing and flossing their teeth wrong. If you don’t follow the right techniques, your efforts will all be for nothing. If you see your dentist regularly, he or she can demonstrate to you how it’s done and how often you should do it. When you brush and floss your teeth right you are reducing your risk of developing cavities and tooth decay.

When you know why you need to see your dentist, you’ll be able to appreciate your dental visits. Before you say no, remember what’ at stake.

A family dentist can treat both you and your children, ensuring that everyone in your family maintains good oral health. Choosing a dentist who treats patients of all ages is a convenient solution since it means that your whole family can go to the same dentist instead of having to visit multiple dental practices in your town.

One excellent way to find a dentist is by talking to other parents who have kids about the same age as your own. Find out which dentist they use and whether or not they are happy with the care that both they and their children have received.

Online reviews may also be beneficial. Reading about other people’s experiences with local dentists can help you determine which ones provide the best care for both children and adults.

When you find a dentist that seems like a good fit, consider scheduling a consultation. This will give you a chance to check out the dental office in person and to get to know the dentist. During your consultation, you can ask any questions that you may have about the practice. As long as you are comfortable with the staff, the dentist, and the dental office itself, you can then go ahead and book appointments for the rest of your family.