Four Things You Must Do, to Successfully Train Your Puppy Or Dog
Dogs learn by association.
For them to learn in an emotionally healthy way, apply positive reinforcement.
For any training to be successful; before the dog is trained, the owner needs to be trained.
Dogs instinctively follow the strongest member of their pack.
That has to be YOU and everyone else in your family.
If necessary, that means everyone in your household has to learn LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
Leadership skills include being: Fair Firm, Consistent and Calm Examples of each are: FAIR: Always be fair! Immediately let your dog know when and if they are doing something right or wrong.
They won't know if you don't tell and show them how pleased you are.
Give praise where and when praise is due.
Make corrections where and when necessary.
Do you know for sure, which dog initiated an incident or are you assuming it was one dog in particular? Some dogs are incredible Oscar material for Best Actor or Actress in a Drama.
They can instigate a crisis, and act convincingly as if they are the victim.
They ARE good! Often, the innocent dog is automatically assumed guilty, and gets blamed and corrected.
Are you assuming the responsibility for an unpleasant incident, such as an "accident" if you really are the one to blame? For example: Did you let your dog out last night for last call, or did you think they could "hold it" until morning? Or...
When teaching your dog something new, did you make it as clear and simple as possible, or do you think they should be able to figure out what you want on their own? FIRM: There is a huge difference between being firm and being mean.
Firm means you are steadfast and unyielding.
You don't blink! You want what you want; no excuses, no exceptions.
By showing your dog you will not flinch, they will associate your "dogged" determination as a strength.
You will gain their respect.
Mean on the other hand, could border on being cruel.
You dog may obey; but it is only because they fear you.
CONSISTENT: Don't confuse your dog! Use the same commands, corrections and rules, ALL THE TIME.
Dogs need to have things kept as simple, and routine as possible.
If the house rule is no dog on the furniture...
everyone in the house must keep the dog off the furniture.
If the dog does not follow a command, they should not be rewarded, just because they are cute.
CALM: Never lose control of your emotions.
Your dog is very sensitive to your moods...
good and bad.
If you feel you are about to lose control, walk away, and chill out.
When you are calm, come back and pick up where you left off.
Watching you rant and rave, only confuses and scares your dog.
They don't have a clue what triggered your rage, or why you are frothing at the mouth, and are behaving like a "mad dog.
"When working with them, stay calm, make training fun, so they will want to do it again.
Bottom line: Apply the fair, firm, consistent and calm rule when training your dog; and you will be amazed at how quickly they will respond.
It's all about being a trusted and respected pack leader.
For them to learn in an emotionally healthy way, apply positive reinforcement.
For any training to be successful; before the dog is trained, the owner needs to be trained.
Dogs instinctively follow the strongest member of their pack.
That has to be YOU and everyone else in your family.
If necessary, that means everyone in your household has to learn LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
Leadership skills include being: Fair Firm, Consistent and Calm Examples of each are: FAIR: Always be fair! Immediately let your dog know when and if they are doing something right or wrong.
They won't know if you don't tell and show them how pleased you are.
Give praise where and when praise is due.
Make corrections where and when necessary.
Do you know for sure, which dog initiated an incident or are you assuming it was one dog in particular? Some dogs are incredible Oscar material for Best Actor or Actress in a Drama.
They can instigate a crisis, and act convincingly as if they are the victim.
They ARE good! Often, the innocent dog is automatically assumed guilty, and gets blamed and corrected.
Are you assuming the responsibility for an unpleasant incident, such as an "accident" if you really are the one to blame? For example: Did you let your dog out last night for last call, or did you think they could "hold it" until morning? Or...
When teaching your dog something new, did you make it as clear and simple as possible, or do you think they should be able to figure out what you want on their own? FIRM: There is a huge difference between being firm and being mean.
Firm means you are steadfast and unyielding.
You don't blink! You want what you want; no excuses, no exceptions.
By showing your dog you will not flinch, they will associate your "dogged" determination as a strength.
You will gain their respect.
Mean on the other hand, could border on being cruel.
You dog may obey; but it is only because they fear you.
CONSISTENT: Don't confuse your dog! Use the same commands, corrections and rules, ALL THE TIME.
Dogs need to have things kept as simple, and routine as possible.
If the house rule is no dog on the furniture...
everyone in the house must keep the dog off the furniture.
If the dog does not follow a command, they should not be rewarded, just because they are cute.
CALM: Never lose control of your emotions.
Your dog is very sensitive to your moods...
good and bad.
If you feel you are about to lose control, walk away, and chill out.
When you are calm, come back and pick up where you left off.
Watching you rant and rave, only confuses and scares your dog.
They don't have a clue what triggered your rage, or why you are frothing at the mouth, and are behaving like a "mad dog.
"When working with them, stay calm, make training fun, so they will want to do it again.
Bottom line: Apply the fair, firm, consistent and calm rule when training your dog; and you will be amazed at how quickly they will respond.
It's all about being a trusted and respected pack leader.
