| An untrained dog is a direct reflection on | | | | discern why it is being scolded if scolding |
| you, the pet owner, and how much you care | | | | occurs minutes or hours after the act. |
| about the dog. In fact a dog that is not | | | | Neither does it understand why a certain |
| trained becomes a nuisance to the owner and | | | | action is acceptable on one occasion but not |
| the environment. You can probably give to | | | | on another, so be consistent.Training of a |
| your dog basic obedience training, i.e. | | | | dog is a continuous process, but the nucleus |
| teaching it to respond to simple commands. | | | | for all obedience is the command 'Sit!' if |
| Whether it's a puppy or a fully-grown dog you | | | | your dog understands this basic command it |
| can teach them with a little effort on your | | | | becomes quite easy to train your dog in the |
| part.Dogs are intelligent animals. They have | | | | other basic commands. For example, you can |
| been trained to do specific tasks like | | | | tell your dog to sit when it begins to jump |
| sniffing out drugs and explosives and | | | | on visitors. To teach your dog to sit, put |
| performing search and rescue missions. All | | | | the leash on it and give the command while |
| these are possible by the efforts of the dog | | | | pushing down on its hindquarters and gently |
| owner. But how can you train your dog to | | | | pulling its head up with the leash. Give |
| obey you?First, you need to know about the | | | | praise immediately. Repeat these steps until |
| genetic make up of your dog. Like wolves, | | | | the dog obeys the command on its own.To teach |
| dogs are hierarchy conscious. They | | | | your dog to remain in the position, use the |
| instinctively gravitate toward living in pack | | | | command 'Stay!' while standing in front and |
| under a leader. Your family is your dog's | | | | putting your hand out with the palm facing |
| pack and it needs to understand that you are | | | | flat toward the dog. If the dog moves, say |
| the leader.Even as a puppy, your dog can | | | | 'No' and place it back into position. Repeat |
| learn that it is subordinate to you. How? | | | | the command and praise the dog when it stays |
| Try holding its gaze with your eyes until it | | | | sitting for a short period. Gradually |
| looks away. Also, rubbing the dog's belly | | | | increase the time it sit and then the |
| while on its back is a good exercise, as this | | | | distance between you and the dog as it |
| puts it in a submissive position. If your | | | | responds to the command.The best way to teach |
| dog is being a nuisance and does not stop | | | | your dog to come to you is to use a long |
| when you say 'No', try ignoring it or leaving | | | | leash and give a gentle tug while calling |
| the room.When your dog responds to your | | | | your dog's name and giving the command |
| commands, it is acknowledging that you are in | | | | 'Come!'. Back up as the dog moves towards |
| charge. If you, as the owner, do not | | | | you and continue to praise. Soon it will |
| establish your position of leadership, your | | | | respond to your call without being prompted |
| pet may conclude that it is equal or superior | | | | by the leash. Never use the word 'Come' |
| to you and this might affect its behavior.To | | | | for a negative reason, such as to reprimand. |
| teach your dog basic commands, you will need | | | | Your dog must learn that responding to 'come' |
| a collar, a leash and plenty of patience. | | | | will bring pleasurable results, whether |
| For successful training, you will have to | | | | praise or a food treat. If you lose your |
| follow the steps below:a. Give a simple, | | | | patience while teaching this command, your |
| one-word command, b. demonstrate the desired | | | | dog will learn that coming is unpleasant and |
| action and c. immediately give praise when | | | | will be avoided.You can teach your dog to |
| the action is done. Your tone of voice is | | | | walk by your side without pushing ahead or |
| more important than the word you use. A | | | | lagging behind. To do this without stress, |
| command should be given in an affirmative | | | | use a link-chain training collar and a short |
| tone and praise be given in a happy, | | | | leash. With the dog on your left, give the |
| affectionate tone.Physical punishment, such | | | | command 'Heel!' and step out with the left |
| as hitting or kicking, is not necessary. | | | | foot. If your dog attempts to push ahead or |
| Simply say 'No' in a sharp tone, prolonging | | | | lag back, give a quick, sharp jerk on the |
| the vowel, so that the dog will know that you | | | | leash and repeat the command. Give praise |
| are displeased with its performance. A dog | | | | for compliance.Remember, a dog is a social |
| is intelligent enough to know when you are | | | | and intelligent animal. Long period of |
| rewarding or reprimanding.If anything more | | | | confinement can lead to excessive barking, |
| drastic is needed, you might grasp the dog by | | | | hyperactivity and destructive behavior. But |
| the scruff of its neck and shake it lightly | | | | with training, your dog can become a |
| while saying 'No'. Reprimands should be | | | | delightful, loyal companion instead of a |
| given during or immediately following the | | | | nuisance. |
| undesirable behavior. Remember, a dog cannot | | | | |