- Be patient-Never lose your temper
- Tune in to your dog, (do you make assumptions? Avoid attributing
human motives such as "he is getting back at me, he is defiant or
willful" verify whenever possible!)
- Don't order what you won't/can't enforce
- Don't "ask" do "tell". Better results!
Follow through!
Don't be a "pushover"
:
Reward / Reinforce / Praise
Correct / Distract
- Make dog work for treats, no "free" treats
- Ideally, treats are unanticipated rewards
- If you use corrections, reprimands, especially if you
use punishment, best done
when you KNOW from past experience
the dog KNOWS what is expected!
- dog may not do what you ask due to not taking taking you
seriously.
- This is due to inconsistency, or a greater incentive to do
something else.
- Avoid sharing your food with your dog (gives wrong message..that
you are pack equals)
- Never reward "begging" (gives wrong message..dog is controlling
you)
- NOTE: Be CERTAIN your dog isn't reluctant to do what you
want due to fear or anxiety! If you correct when dog is afraid
or anxious you will undo anything the lesson was aiming
to accomplish and may harm the dog's temperament.
- Use same words/tone with each command
- Each dog is unique, so there are exceptions to rules
- Stop doing what isn't working!!
- Don't overindulge dog's every wish, thinking you are being a
good parent, courteous, loving, or thoughtful to step out of the way
of your dog, do what it pleases or give whatever it wants, (gives
wrong message, that the dog is the leader and you are there to
serve, makes dog insecure). Exception would be a very submissive
timid dog that you are trying to encourage and bring out of its shell.
- Afraid your dog won't love you if you insist on good behavior?
Opposite is true! You'll be respected, loved more!
- In Wolf or dog pack, subordinate members have great affection for
the alpha leader. Your dog will love you more because you are
providing structure and security!
- Remember: you give your dog security, comfort and safety
when you are the leader!
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