| The term "dog training" can mean many different | | | | bored may become less bored with obedience training |
| things - this is an important fact to remember when | | | | and stop digging. It is important, however, to understand |
| deciding what exactly you need to do with your dog. | | | | that the dog stopped digging because it was no longer |
| First, there is "behavior training". | | | | bored not that it now knows how to heel. You will |
| This is the kind of dog training in which a dog is taught | | | | need to modify your approach, or select a trainer to |
| to be good. Usually this would include house training, | | | | help you, with behavior vs. training in mind. |
| good behavior around other people and dogs, and | | | | Please also remember not to punish the dog whilst |
| other small things that make a dog a much more | | | | training. |
| pleasant companion. A well-behaved dog attracts no | | | | Punishment is not a training aid. It does little to foster |
| special notice from members of the public (apart from | | | | willingness to learn and achieve. Limit yourself to a firm |
| occasional comments about their good manners). | | | | "no" and to using your hands to block the dog's |
| Next, there is "obedience training," which is teaching the | | | | negative actions. Refrain from hitting or physically |
| dog how to perform specific activities. | | | | abusing the dog. |
| This can include traditional obedience exercises such | | | | Display extreme levels of patience and persistence, |
| as heeling. The emphasis here is on prompt and | | | | and never give up; if you do, you are relinquishing your |
| precise performance. While there can be many overall | | | | status as the dominant one. The dog is bound by |
| benefits to this kind of dog training, the training is not | | | | nature and genetics to test how far he can push you |
| necessarily used in order to improve the dog's | | | | or get away with disobeying you. You must display a |
| behavior. | | | | stern and stoic attitude and do not pat, praise, or |
| Dogs that have been obedience trained will perform | | | | reward the dog if he does not pay attention or |
| tasks when their owners ask them to do so. (Although, | | | | refuses to do as you have asked. Only yield once |
| some obedience trained dogs may well behave | | | | your commands are followed. If you "heel" instead of |
| poorly!) | | | | your dog then he will soon know who is the boss. |
| "Activity training" refers to dog training for specific | | | | Use rewards and praise as often as required. Praise |
| activities - this could include hunting, herding, search and | | | | should immediately be forthcoming when a dog |
| rescue or any of a number of activities designed to | | | | responds to any command. The pet will associate |
| show off the abilities of the dog and his handler. These | | | | responding to commands with praise/rewards (treats) |
| days, such activity also includes sports such as frisbee, | | | | and will try and respond quicker to reap his rewards. |
| flyball and agility. | | | | Once a command/trick has been mastered then the |
| At times, these dog training methods can cross over | | | | treats can be withdrawn. You will find that obeying a |
| somewhat. | | | | command becomes second nature to your dog. |
| A certain amount of obedience training will help with | | | | Keep the lessons simple. To begin with, the lessons |
| behaviors, for example. A dog that is heeling will not | | | | should be fairly easy and such that the dog can |
| pull on the leash. | | | | complete it within two-three actions. As his level of |
| You will still want to keep this in mind when selecting a | | | | learning increases the lessons could be more complex. |
| training class, however, so that it best matches your | | | | Just as our children go, at first to play school, then to |
| needs. For many pet owners, the behavior-oriented | | | | kindergarten, and then to the first grade so also in the |
| classes are the best way to learn how to understand | | | | case of our pets. |
| and control your dog. For those of you who want to | | | | Whether you are a first time dog owner or a |
| enjoy a sport or compete in an activity with your dog, | | | | seasoned veteran, your learning never stops as far as |
| you will need to move along to more complex dog | | | | it comes to training your dog. Each and every dog |
| training. | | | | presents different training challenges, and the more |
| You need to be fully aware of whether or not your | | | | equipped you are to handle these training issues the |
| dog needs behavior modification (where you will have | | | | more likely you are to prevent any permanent and |
| to find out the underlying reason why your dog digs | | | | long term future behavioral problems. |
| holes) or obedience training (to understand commands). | | | | Visit David's site at to learn dog training tips that |
| The two may be related: a dog that digs because it is | | | | anyone can use. |