Pet Tips: Dog Obedience Tips
Dogs enjoy working for rewards, from small snacks or a pat on the head.
Try not to confuse the dog, instructive commands should be kept short and simple.
Avoid giving your dog commands that you know you cannot enforce. You will only be teaching that commands are optional.
Avoid giving your dog combined commands which are incompatible. Combined commands such as “sit-down” can confuse your dog. Use either “Sit” or “Down”. Pick one and stick to it.
When giving your dog a command, your tone should be calm and authoritative, avoid using a loud or harsh voice.
Whenever possible, use your dog’s name positively, rather than using along with punishment. Your dog should trust that their name relates with praise, never hesitancy or fear.
When correcting your dog, good timing is essential. Try to catch your dog right before or during an event, never after. Dogs relate to the immediate.
Don’t give attention to a dog that is misbehaving, this only reinforces the behavior.
Control your anger. Never train your dog when you’re feeling irritated, grouchy, or impatient. Earning your dog’s trust is never accomplished by handling your dog in a harsh manner. Never “get even with your dog”. If you’re taking an abusive approach, you are only succeeding in undermining your trust.
Train your dog humanely, and whenever possible, teach him using positive, motivational methods. Training should be a happy, gentle experience for both dog and owner.
