March 1, 2010

Teaching Your Dog Right from Wrong

by Joanne Gallagher

It is very difficult to say no to your dog when they look at you so lovingly. Dogs don’t miss curfews or talk disrespectfully to their owners, so why not give them a bite of your dinner? One table scrap will turn them into perpetual table side beggars. Successful dog training relies on consistency.

A responsible dog owner must have control of their dog in all situations. The tone of a dog trainer’s voice gets a response from typical house dogs. A low deep voice can signify the dog did something wrong and a high pitched singing tone creates tail wagging excitement. Speaking in an angry voice can be counterproductive. Establish your status as leader with a firm voice and a strong body posture while you wait for your dog to obey your command.

For dogs who are reluctant learners using a dog collar and leash in training can be useful. A choke chain collar can be used along with a leash. Use a choke collar with smooth, rounded edges for superior comfort, smooth operation, and safety-no sharp points or rough edges that can chafe your dog’s skin or snag fur. To properly fit choke collars, measure the circumference of your pet’s neck and add 2″ - 3″.

Housebreaking is one of the first aspects involved in dog training. With a 95% success rate Poochie-Bells are recommended by professional trainers. No more whining, barking or waiting by the door, your pooch can be trained to ring the bells when they need to go outside. The bells are strategically placed on a heavy duty designer durable grosgrain ribbon to accommodate small and large breeds. Poochie Bells are portable, there are no batteries or wires so dog owners can remain consistent with housebreaking wherever you and your pooch happen to be.

Some dog breeds are more difficult to train than others. There are breed specific behaviors that need to be adapted to their environment. Herding and excessive barking are natural instincts that dog trainers and owners need to modify for a dog to adapt in their environment and home.

Leash training with the restrain collars also teaches your dog not to pull while you are walking your dog. If your dog is controlling you, by pulling, give the leash a quick yank to the side. This is an effective and harmless dog instruction that will make walking your dog a pleasurable experience. Remember you are the pack leader and need to have control of your dog.

Sometimes hand gestures or visual commands are used in the early stages of dog training. When you are in a dog park and there is a lot of noise and distractions, a visual command is extremely effective. For example the universal hand signal for the come command is to fully outstretch your arms horizontally on each side then bring, them to meet in front of your stomach.

Patience and persistence are needed with dog training. Dogs don’t immediately understand the usefulness of what their owner is trying to accomplish, they just want your attention. A dog wants to please their owner and responds to positive reinforcement when they behave appropriately.

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