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