It’s outstanding to have a self-assured dog as your companion. It reflects the job you have done creating independence and confidence in your pet. Your once tiny little clingy fluff-ball that followed you everywhere, was your shadow and always underfoot is now more interested in the great wide world around him. Curiously enticed by his surroundings and all the sights, smells and sounds, the world is now his to investigate.
It’s great to raise a confident dog, but it can’t be emphasized enough that refusing to obey your commands challenges your leadership and creates a power struggle that can lead to behavioral problems. It’s imperative that your dog obeys every command you teach, no exceptions. To accomplish this you must reinforce in the dog that no matter what distracting influences are present he must obey you instantly and with no hesitation. The focus when training your dog should be on building a solid bond based on mutual trust, love and respect between your pet and every member of your family. Your goal should be a dog that clearly understands what is expected of him and comfortably accepts his place in your household.
I’ve heard the phrase, “An obedient dog is a happy dog” and this statement is true on many levels. Training your dog should be fun for both you and your pup. It should also be a lifelong commitment because it’s natural for your dog to occasionally see an opportunity to vie for the dominant role and incorporating your commands into your daily routine will consistently reinforce your role as the leader.
Appeal to your dog’s will to please his master. You are more important than anything else going on around the dog. A natural respect evolves that can be called “voluntary submission”. This is the total acceptance of your position as Alpha, or Pack Leader. Our dogs are genetically wired to understand pack mentality and every dog big or small needs dominance adjustment and alpha image formation. Be his leader or he will be yours. Be aware of your dog’s personality and win every conflict. Never hit, slap, beat or choke your dog as this will create an insecure animal who will cower in fear, be scared and nervous. It’s also unthinkable and cruel to inflict pain on your dog. The problems caused can be irreversible. It is possible to firmly correct your dog during the teaching process using gentle but firm negative consequence and enthusiastic jubilant positive reinforcement. Tone of voice and body language are paramount. Dogs naturally respond to our body language and tone of voice. Keep your dog’s particular temperament in mind when choosing your method of correction. Some dogs are hard and require corrections that he’ll respond to while other dogs are soft and the same correction might be too much and defeat your intention. Know your dog. Remember, mutual respect, understanding, consistency and patience will reward you with a lifelong bond, an animal that is welcomed, loved and secure within your family structure and community.
If your dog is not bound for the show ring or obedience trials, technique doesn’t have to be very important. For instance, heeling doesn’t have to mean that the dog’s head is even with your left knee. Walking on a loose leash without pulling can be a very attainable goal. Think about what behaviors are important to you. Your neighbor may never allow his dogs to jump up onto the couch for a nap. Your sister insists her dogs are crated during family meal times. You may not mind your dogs snuggling on the couch with you and decide that teaching them to come up on the couch when invited is fine. You may want your dogs in a down-stay position or crated during family meals, or you may be fine with your dog sitting or laying down by your side while you are at the dinner table. It’s your dog, your family and you need to decide what rules are important, then teach and enforce them. Never give a command that you don’t enforce, follow through on and reward your dog for completing.
All dogs should know the basics that will make them welcome citizens and family members. Sit, down, stay, down/stay, come, wait, quiet, no jumping up on anyone or anything, no food stealing, no garbage ransacking, not chewing or destroying anything that isn’t his, not being possessive with food, toys or chew bones (or anything!), allowing hands in his bowl of food, accepting food from your hand, accepting handling of any part of his body for inspection, grooming and petting are things that not only make it easy for you to care for your dog, they keep him safe and in your control at all times. Obey leash laws and don’t let your dog roam. Don’t put your best friend at risk by allowing him to run free right into traffic, poisons or intentional harm by others. You may not mind the neighbor’s dog leaving presents on your lawn daily, but the guy down the street may find this totally irresponsible and disgusting. Holes dug in his landscaping and flower beds may find him on the empty side of patience and he may take matters into his own hands. You might end up in court or worse, your dog might end up dead. It only takes one loose dog in the street and one car to cause great loss and a lot of heartache. Keep your dog confined to your property at all times. This can mean a physical fence, invisible fencing, a dog run or a safe tie-out. It’s not cruel to keep your dog tied out if he’s supervised, can’t get tangled or strangled and he’s not left out alone for unlimited hours a day with no access to water, shade and access to protection from the elements. They don’t need to roam free to be happy dogs. They need you to provide safety, love, structure, nutrition, shelter, supervision and leadership. A controlled dog knows his place. His place is a guided safe place.
It sounds like a daunting task! It’s not. These things can and should be part of your daily interactions and routines. Make it fun, make it exciting and make it a priority. I always start my training sessions with a verbal cue, “Let’s Go Work!”. I say it in an upbeat tone of voice and my excitement rolls right into the dogs and they get excited. They learn quickly that “Let’s Go Work!” means it’s time to have a purpose, please me, get lots of love and attention, and they are very proud because they always succeed. It makes them confident and content. It also gives them a constructive outlet for pent up energy and a tired dog is a good dog! It cements the bond between us and reinforces my position as leader. I aim for two 20 minute sessions a day. If they are focused and interested I don’t watch the clock. If it’s a day that they aren’t focused or seem disinterested I won’t introduce new commands. Instead I’ll reinforce easy ones and always let them succeed. I may end the session early. I may work them in the house. Vary your routine, keep it interesting but be consistent. Always end your training sessions on a positive note with the dog performing a task successfully. Always lavish enthusiastic physical and verbal praise. I always end training sessions with a verbal cue, “You’re Through!” or “You’re Free!!” and I wave my arms away from my body in a playful manor. I then always engage them in free play. I take out a favorite ball or toy and we play fetch and just happily goof around for a little while. I may toss a rope bone for them to run around with and shake in their mouths or sometimes they’ll play for a few minutes and then come to me for lots of physical touching, tongue and tail wagging, affection and a big drink of water. It’s a great way to get them used to training as routine and lots of fun. It’s something they get used to and look forward to.
Remember, dogs want to please us. They need to know exactly what it is we expect of them. They also need to rely on us for everything including fun and play! Again, be consistent. Be positive and upbeat. Be in charge. Be your dog’s universe. Be your dog’s best friend and playmate. Be a good leader!
When beginning any training always keep your dog on a leash. I prefer a six foot lead attached to a standard nylon snap release collar. Basic beginning commands can be easily taught to most dogs using this type of standard equipment. Corrections will be inevitable and can be applied using this type of collar and lead. You’ll work up to commands that will require a longer lead. Never work your dog off lead until you are certain he’s 100% reliable. Don’t give him the opportunity to fail miserably, it’s confusing to the dog and totally frustrating for you. Don’t be discouraged if you need to back up and repeat lessons. They can hit a wall and your patience and perseverance will pay off for you both. You may decide to investigate other avenues of humane correction. Choke collars when worn and used properly do not choke! The correction is a quick snap meant to get the dog’s attention. Please learn the proper way to use this chain collar before you put it on your dog. Electronic Collars deliver an unpleasant sensation, again, to get the dog’s attention and get him to comply. Never leave any type of correction collar on your dog outside of controlled training sessions! Positive reinforcement after any negative correction is monumental to your dog’s success, and your success as the leader and teacher. Investigate all avenues before resorting to a choke chain (or pronged) collar or e-collar and be properly trained in their applications. They do have their place in correcting certain behaviors.
Consult with a professional if you aren’t clear about methods, equipment, corrections, rewards or where to start. Your dog needs you to be confident.
Most of all, make it fun, have fun and enjoy watching your dog blossom into an obedient, trustworthy, proud and confident loving companion. It’s a rewarding and gratifying endeavor! It’s the most valuable gift you can ever give your dog.
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