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