| You've performed three of the most important | | | | dog new tricks" is not true! A dog of any age can |
| tasks for a dog owner: decided if you were right | | | | learn good behavior. Both you and your dog will |
| for a dog, determined what dog was the best for | | | | benefit. He will learn some good behavior and to |
| you and taught your best friend some manners. | | | | respect you, the leader of the pack. You'll learn |
| That should be about it, right? Wrong! You have | | | | the subtleties of your dog's behavior and how to |
| an ongoing relationship with your pet, just like you | | | | act in a fair, yet dominant, manner. Obedience |
| do your children or your spouse. It's important to | | | | training is great way to teach an "only dog" how |
| maintain the relationship if you want it to be | | | | to properly socialize with other dogs and people. |
| fruitful. If you don't, all of that training you've done | | | | Whether you are alone with your dogs or in a |
| so far will be for naught. Sometimes, though, like | | | | group of people and animals, your dog will learn |
| all relationships, the one with your dog can be | | | | how to behave.Here are some tips to help you |
| rocky. Even well-trained owners have dogs with | | | | determine what obedience class is the right one |
| behavior problems when things change. Dog have | | | | for you and your pet:- Ask your friends, family |
| been known to act out when their owners being | | | | members, vet or groomer for recommendations. |
| working more hours, go back to school, have a | | | | - Be sure the trainer uses positive reinforcement |
| baby or get married. Dogs aren't themselves | | | | and no methods that hurt or frighten the dogs.- |
| when they are ill or in pain. Some dogs are just | | | | Choose a trainer that focuses primarily on group |
| never quite right because of problems inherited | | | | classes. Although it may seem like one-on-one |
| from poor breeding.Here are nine things you can | | | | training might be best, group classes give both |
| do to make sure your well-behaved dog stays | | | | you and your dog to observe other people and |
| that way.1. Don't forget that you are leader of | | | | their pets. Your dog will also focus on your |
| the pack. Remind yourself that your dog is | | | | commands, not just those of the trainer. Some |
| genetically programmed to be part of a group and | | | | owners do both individual and group classes.- Make |
| to obey the leader of his pack. If you don't | | | | sure there are separate classes for puppies and |
| provide him consistent strong, yet fair, leadership, | | | | adult dogs. Dogs between eight and 16 weeks |
| he will try to become the leader. If he becomes | | | | should be in puppy classes. You may also feel |
| the leader by default, behavior problems will | | | | more comfortable with a trainer who offers |
| increase exponentially. Here are some tips to | | | | beginning, intermediate and advanced obedience |
| make sure he remembers you are his leader: - | | | | classes.- Ask the trainer you are considering if |
| Don't let him pull on his leash.- Don't put the leash | | | | you can watch a class. While you watch, note |
| on your dog until he sits quietly.- Don't let him get | | | | some of these details: Notice if the class is small |
| away with bad behavior. - Always eat before he | | | | enough that everyone can get some individualized |
| does.- Don't chase or play rough games like | | | | attention. Watch to see if both and dogs and |
| tug-of-war with your dog.- Don't allow him to bite | | | | owners are having fun. See if the trainer provides |
| anyone.- Always go through doorways before | | | | lesson handouts. In a good class, you'll hear plenty |
| him.- Try to always be calm, fair and confident | | | | of praise and commands in upbeat, yet firm, |
| when dealing with your dog.- Don't give him | | | | tones. Does the trainer give the owners other |
| anything - attention, food, play - without him doing | | | | information about health, grooming or specific |
| something for you first, like sitting on command. - | | | | breeds? You want to make sure your trainer is |
| Don't allow your dog on furniture without your | | | | knowledgeable about the whole dog, not just |
| permission.- Protect your dog from other animals | | | | obedience training techniques.- Ask your trainer if |
| or people who try to harm him.When you are a | | | | he or she knows several different techniques to |
| strong leader, your dog will respect you. With this | | | | work with dogs. This can come in handy if your |
| respect comes an innate desire to please. He will | | | | dog doesn't always respond to the tried-and-true |
| love you and want to obey your every | | | | methods.- Make certain that the trainer requires |
| command! 2. Train with your dog every day. Just | | | | that dogs be vaccinated and certified healthy by |
| like with humans, any behavior you train your dog | | | | their vet before enrolling in classes.- Be sure to |
| to do will be forgotten if he doesn't practice it. | | | | get a list of equipment you'll need to bring with |
| Work with your dog at least 15 minutes a day on | | | | you to your first class. Once you find the right |
| an aspect of his behavior. This is important, also, | | | | trainer and obedience class, make sure both you |
| to remind your canine that you are the leader of | | | | and your dog are prepared. Be sure to bring all |
| his pack. Try to teach your dog something new | | | | the required equipment. Don't feed your dog |
| every month or two. This will keep him challenged | | | | before class - since treats are part of the |
| and give you both a sense of accomplishment. | | | | reinforcement of good behavior, you want him to |
| Most dogs were bred to do some kind of work, | | | | be willing to eat the treats, which he might not |
| and if you don't give your dog purpose, he'll | | | | want if he has a full belly. Don't forget to do your |
| become bored and develop behavioral problems.3. | | | | homework! Practice between classes is essential |
| Make sure to give your dog treats and praise. | | | | to reinforce your dog's behavior.7. Lean all you |
| Continue the technique you've used to train your | | | | can about your dog, his breed, and canine care. |
| dog. People tend to get complacent, and before | | | | You can never know too much when it comes to |
| you know it, Spot is hogging your bed and | | | | your dog. Learn all you can from books, television |
| dragging you down the street by the leash. To | | | | and magazines. Be sure just to take the time to |
| make things worse, he won't listen to your | | | | browse at the pet supply store or your favorite |
| commands any more. To prevent this, make | | | | online pet supplies merchant to see what kind of |
| your dog perform an act of obedience to earn | | | | new products are on the market. A new toy |
| praise, petting or a treat.4. Never strike or yell at | | | | from time to time is a new adventure for both |
| your dog. Hitting or kicking your dog will have | | | | you and your pet.8. Keep your dog's home safe |
| about the same effect that it would on a spouse | | | | and stimulating. Giving your dog a fun, secure |
| or a child - it ruins the relationship and breaks | | | | place to live will help to prevent bad behavior and |
| down all the trust your pet had for you. Some | | | | may even prolong his life. Always have a number |
| owners use physical abuse to train their dogs to | | | | of fun toys available, including balls, chews and |
| fight for money. Others believe, erroneously, that | | | | squeaky toys. Be sure to play with your dog daily |
| abuse will make them become better watch or | | | | to give him the necessary exercise he needs, to |
| attack dogs. Statistics show that thousands of | | | | help you bond with your pet and to just have |
| dogs are killed or injured by people every year. | | | | fun!If no one is home during the day, leave a talk |
| No matter how frustrated you get with him, | | | | radio station on. Keep your pet out of areas of |
| never, ever strike your pet.Dogs don't respond | | | | your home where he might eat something toxic |
| well to yelling. All it does is get your dog more | | | | or injure himself. Keep your fence well |
| stressed, which will more than likely make his | | | | maintained.If your dog starts to have behavior |
| behavior problems worse. Everyone loses their | | | | problems, don't despair! There's nothing to say |
| patience from time to time, but remember that | | | | that you can't start training him to change his |
| your dog only responds to fair leadership.5. Get | | | | behavior! With a little patience and perseverance, |
| your dog proper medical care. Your dog needs a | | | | you will be able to eliminate most bad behavior. In |
| checkup at the veterinarian annually to make sure | | | | the most extreme cases, you may not be able |
| he's in top form physically and to receive yearly | | | | to stop the behavior, but with training your dog |
| shots to prevent rabies and other diseases. It's | | | | will show improvement.Some problems won't be |
| important to go to the same vet every year so | | | | entirely eliminated, especially if you chose a dog |
| he or she can monitor your pet and notice any | | | | that doesn't have the temperament for your |
| evidence of problems. All dogs need a teeth | | | | lifestyle. But even some of these dogs can |
| cleaning from time to time, too, to keep them | | | | change if you have a good dog/dog owner |
| healthy. If your dog is injured or sick, he needs to | | | | relationship. Now we'll look at some of the most |
| get proper medical attention. Your veterinarian | | | | common behavior problems and how to re-train |
| can also give you advice on behavior as well as | | | | your dog to behave appropriately.Marilyn |
| diet, breeding, training, and puppy selection 6. | | | | BurnhamAuthor: 'Dog Owners Boot Camp'The |
| Attend obedience training. As an absolute | | | | How To Guide, Dog Training Secrets Professional |
| necessity for getting a good to a positive | | | | Dog Trainers Don't Want You To Know! |
| relationship with your dog, be sure to take him to | | | | For More Information On Dog TrainingMarilyn |
| a six-to-eight-week-long obedience class, before | | | | Burnham was the owner operator of 4 successful |
| his first birthday if he's a puppy, as soon as | | | | dog grooming stores in British Columbia, Canada |
| possible if he's an adult dog. A good trainer will | | | | for more than a decade. To spend more time |
| teach you the basics and what a good dog/owner | | | | with her children Marilyn made the decision to sell |
| relationship is.If you have an adult dog, don't | | | | her business in the mid 90's. |
| worry. That old saying, "You can't teach an old | | | | |