| When professional training is not a good | | | | |
| option for you - either because of cost or | | | | - Be kind and gentle for best results. An |
| time - there are techniques that you can use | | | | owner who constantly punishes his or her dog |
| at home to train your dog to do just about | | | | for bad behaviors is bound to be a lot less |
| anything you want him to. Here are some | | | | successful than an owner who is gentle and |
| things to keep in mind when you are wondering | | | | kind, rewarding his or her dog for acceptable |
| how you will train your new pet: | | | | behaviors. Consider offering your dog plenty |
| | | | of praise, and be gentle when redirecting his |
| - Determine the ground rules before you begin | | | | attention from a bad behavior to one that is |
| training. One of the common hang ups that | | | | more acceptable to you. |
| people experience with dog training is not | | | | |
| deciding in advance which behaviors they will | | | | - See yourself as the team leader during |
| or will not tolerate. For example, some | | | | training. You are not the only one |
| people will let their new puppy nap on the | | | | responsible for successful training sessions. |
| sofa but decide later that they don't want | | | | If you see yourself and your dog as a team in |
| dog hair on the furniture. They then need to | | | | training, you will be much more successful |
| re-train their dog that getting onto the sofa | | | | than if you assume the burden of all |
| is not allowed. Make a list of the behaviors | | | | responsibility. You need to be aware of |
| you don't want to see, and you will have a | | | | everything that goes on during training, |
| better idea of where to begin. It is always | | | | because you are the leader. However, realize |
| ok to reverse a behavior, but is easier for | | | | that your dog must be a willing participant |
| you and your dog if you set the rules at the | | | | for training to succeed. |
| beginning and don't change them in the middle | | | | |
| of the game. | | | | - Train your dog to stop barking |
| | | | unnecessarily. When your dog is outside, does |
| - Use a short leash for training purposes. | | | | he bark continuously at everything that |
| Leashes come in many different lengths, some | | | | moves? If you want to stop this behavior, |
| reach up to 100 feet or more. However, when | | | | consider a bark-control collar. This handy |
| you are training your dog, you should always | | | | device issues tones for both approval and |
| use a leash that is around 6 foot long and | | | | disapproval from a special collar that can be |
| comes with a loop that you can slip your hand | | | | controlled from a distance. You will find |
| through, wrapping it around your fingers to | | | | that the feedback mechanism will quickly help |
| ensure that the dog doesn't get away from | | | | your dog to become independent enough to be |
| you. When your dog is on your left side, keep | | | | left alone outside without constant |
| the leash in front of you with the loop | | | | supervision. |
| around your right hand. This will help you to | | | | |
| keep the leash short and to maintain control. | | | | When you are consistent and fair with your |
| | | | dog, you will find that it is possible to |
| - Never use a training technique that is not | | | | train him to do just about anything you would |
| natural and comfortable for you. If you are | | | | like. As you see from the information above, |
| using a technique that does not come | | | | there are small tricks that you can use to |
| naturally, your dog will sense your | | | | make training easier and more fun for you and |
| hesitation as quickly as he will sense fear | | | | your dog. |
| or anxiety. This can lead to your dog | | | | |
| ignoring any commands given and cause | | | | Don't forget to limit your training to short |
| frustration for both of you. Therefore, work | | | | periods, taking time in between to play and |
| to find techniques that you understand and | | | | just relax together. And, the most important |
| feel comfortable with before starting to | | | | thing you can do is to reward your dog for a |
| train your dog. | | | | job well done! |