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