Doing your part to promote good behavior

Proper training requires both ends of the leash to put forth the effort. Here’s how you can do your part to help your dog succeed.

Consistency
The hardest element in dog training for many to master, yet the most important.
If you allow your dog to jump on you when you‘re happy to see him, but scold him for doing so when you‘re wearing a nice outfit, then you‘re being inconsistent. Do you give a command and then sometimes let it slide, while other times you expect a quick response? Then you’re being inconsistent.
Our dogs will learn what we teach them, if you cannot be consistent yourself, then you cannot expect your dog to be consistent in his responses to you.

Over emotional
Pulling on the leash may be annoying but it’s not the end of the world. If you’ve just begun training then cut your dog some slack and let him adjust to your learning curve. Yelling, hitting, or otherwise being ’angry’ with the dog will only set you back in the training process. Your dog doesn’t understand why you’re upset, he just knows you are. Be calm and relaxed during your training sessions and your dog will be that much more eager to learn from you.

What did you say?
Pick a word and stick to it! Saying sit once an sit-down the next time is confusing to your dog. Likewise, repeating a command more then once (sit, sit, sit, sit, please sit, etc.) will only teach him to respond after you’ve said the command a certain number of times. If you want a dog that responds to a command the first time without hesitation, then pick a word, stick to it, and follow through with what you expect.

Having fun?
Training should be fun activity with your dog and a way to strengthen the bond you already have. Relax, and enjoy the journey to a well trained dog. If you’re not having fun then your dog won’t be either.

Expectations too high?
Want a well trained dog in only the time it takes to complete a basic obedience class? Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. Training is an ongoing process, not something that happens in a few weeks and then you can be done with it. Going to classes and working with a trainer is wonderful and will teach YOU the skills you need to train your dog, but don’t expect magic overnight. Your dog is like a toddler that cannot speak English, it’s going to take you two a while to learn how to effectively communicate with each other. Once you do reach that stage where your dog is responding to your every command (and you will get there!) then DON”T STOP TRAINING! Work with your dog a little every day, practice makes perfect and keeps doggie responses lightening quick. If you slack off in the practice department, so will your dog.