How to Train Dogs That Don't Want to Mind
- 1). Be consistent. Always use the same commands. For example, if you choose "down" to get your dog off the furniture, do not change the command to "off." Such inconsistencies will confuse your dog.
- 2). Check your voice tone. Your commands should not be tentative or sound like questions. Your tone should be firm, but you do not need to yell at your dog.
- 3). Maintain authoritative body language, suggest the dog trainers at trainpetdog.com. If your voice tone is authoritative but your body language is not, your dog may ignore you. For example, look directly at your dog when correcting it.
- 4). Utilize tools for assistance. Choose training tools that fit your dog's needs and personality. For example, use a squirt gun on a small dog to stop bad behavior. Use a shaker can (see final Tips entry) followed by a firm "no" to get the attention of a large dog and to stop it in the middle of inappropriate behavior.
- 5). Praise your dog when it obeys. For example, after using the shaker can method, pet, praise and look directly at your dog to reward it for stopping the undesired behavior.
- 6). Follow through after every command. Your dog will test you, and if you do not consistently enforce your commands, it will think it is not necessary to obey.
