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Training your new puppy

Bringing a new puppy into the household is always an exciting and fun time.  Everyone wants to play with, cuddle and hold the little ball of fur.  The last thing on the minds of most new puppy owners is training the new addition, but it is important that puppy training and socialization begin as early as possible.

Socializing a new puppy is a vital part of any training program, and it is important for socialization to begin early.  The window for socialization is very short and a puppy that is not properly socialized to people, dogs and other animals by the time he or she is four months old often never develops the socialization he or she needs to become a good canine citizen.

Learning how to interact with other dogs is something that normally would occur between littermates.  However, since most dogs are removed from their mothers so soon, this littermate socialization often does not finish properly. 

One vital lesson puppies learn from their littermates and from the mother dog is how to bite and how not to bite.  Puppies naturally roughhouse with each other and their thick skin protects them from most bites.  However, when one puppy bites too hard, the other puppies, or the mother dog, quickly reprimand him, often by holding him by the scruff of his neck until he submits.

The best way to socialize your puppy is to have it play with lots of other puppies.  It is also fine for the puppy to play with a few adult dogs, as long as they are friendly and well socialized.  Many communities have puppy playschool and puppy kindergarten classes.  These classes can be a great way to socialize any puppy and for handler and puppy alike to learn some basic obedience skills.

When socializing puppies, it is best to let them play on their own and work out their own issues when it comes to appropriate roughness of play.  The only time the owners should step in is if one puppy is hurting another, or if a serious fight breaks out. Other than that the owners should simply stand back and watch their puppies interact.

While this socialization is taking place, the pack hierarchy should quickly become apparent.  There will be some puppies who are ultra submissive, rolling on their backs and baring their throats at the slightest provocation.  Other puppies in the class will be dominant, ordering the other puppies around and telling them what to do.  Watching the puppies play, and determining what type of personality traits your puppy has, will be very valuable in determining the best way to proceed with more advanced training.

As the socialization process proceeds, of course, it will be necessary to introduce the puppy to all sorts of humans as well as all sorts of puppies.  Fortunately, the puppy kindergarten class makes this process quite easy, since every puppy gets to interact with every human.  It is important that the puppy be exposed to men, and women, old people and children.  Dogs do not see every human as the same.  To a dog, a man and a woman are completely different animals.

It is also important to introduce the puppy to a variety of other animals, especially in a multi pet household.  Introducing the puppy to friendly cats is important, as are introductions to other animals the puppy may encounter, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and the like.  If your household contains a more exotic creature, it is important to introduce the puppy to it as early as possible, but to do it in a way that is safe for both animals.

It is often best to start by introducing the puppy to the smell of the other animal.  This can be easily accomplished by placing a piece of the animals bedding, like a towel or bed liner, near where the puppy sleeps.  Once the puppy is accustomed to the smell of the other creature, he or she is much more likely to accept the animal as just another member o the family.

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Dog training for desired behaviours

Teaching a dog proper behaviour while it is young is very important.  While playing and having fun with your new puppy or dog is certainly important, it is also important to teach your canine companion just what is expected – which behaviours are acceptable and which behaviours are not acceptable.

Teaching these lessons early, while the dog is still a puppy, is the best guarantee that these lessons will be learned and retained.  Dogs learn quickly and every interaction between human and dog is teaching the dog something.  Making sure you are teaching the right lessons is up to you as the dog handler.

Proper training techniques are important for the protection of the dog as well as the protection of the family and the community at large.  While dogs are loving, protecting members of the family in most cases, a poorly trained dog can be dangerous and destructive.  Making sure your new addition is a pleasure to be around and not a menace is up to you as the owner.

The relationship between humans and dogs goes back for many thousands of years and dogs have been domesticated longer than any other animals.  Therefore, humans and dogs have developed a bond not shared by many other domesticated animals.  This strong bond is very useful when training any dog.

All potential dog owners and would be dog trainers should understand how dog society works in the absence of humans.  It is important to understand the pack hierarchy and to use that hierarchy to your advantage as you train your dog.  All pack animals have a lead animal, in the case of dogs it is the alpha dog.  All other members of the pack look to the alpha dog for direction and guidance.  The alpha dog in turn provides important leadership in hunting, fending off other predators, protecting territory and other vital survival skills.  This pack arrangement is what has allowed wolves and wild dogs to be such successful predators, even as other large predators have been driven to extinction.

What all this means to you as the dog trainer is that you must set yourself up as the pack leader – the alpha dog if you will – in order to gain the respect and trust of your dog.  If the dog does not recognize you as is superior and its leader, you will not get very far in your training program.

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Using rewards and positive reinforcement to train your dog

Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog.  Positive reinforcement training is so important that it is the only method used to train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in tourist educational establishments and in the movie and television industry.  Proponents of positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their techniques and it is true that the vast majority of dogs respond well to these training methods.

One reason that positive reinforcement training is so effective is that is uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected of it.  When the dog performs the desired behaviour, he is provided with a reward, most often in the form of a food treat, but it could be a scratch behind the ears, a rub under the chin or a pat on the head as well.  The important thing is that the dog is rewarded consistently for doing the right thing.

Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years, but chances are some sort of reward training between humans and dogs has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.

When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some knowledge of the history of humans and dogs is very helpful.  The earliest dogs were probably wolf pups that were tamed and used by early humans for protection from predators, as alarm systems and later for guarding and herding livestock.  It is possible that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most easily trained, or it is possible that these early dogs were orphaned or abandoned wolf pups.  Whatever their origin, there is little doubt today that the vast variety of dogs we see today have their origin in the humble wolf.

Wolf packs, like packs of wild dogs, operate on a strict pack hierarchy. Since wolf and dog packs hunt as a group, this type of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the survival of the species.  Every dog in the pack knows his or her place in the pack and except in the event of death or injury, the hierarchy, once established, rarely changes.

Every dog, therefore, is hard wired by nature to look to the pack leader for guidance.  The basis of all good dog training, including reward based training, is for the handler to set him or herself up as the pack leader.  The pack leader is more than just the dominant dog, or the one who tells all the subordinates what to do.  More importantly, the pack leader provides leadership and protection and his or her leadership is vital to the success and survival of the pack.

It is important for the dog to see itself as part of a pack, to recognize the human as the leader of that pack and to respect his or her authority.  Some dogs are much easier to dominate than others.  If you watch a group of puppies playing for a little while, you will quickly recognize the dominant and submissive personalities. 

A dog with a more submissive personality will generally be easier to train using positive reinforcement, since he or she will not want to challenge the handler for leadership.  Even dominant dogs, however, respond very well to positive reinforcement.  There are, in fact, few dogs that do not respond well to positive reinforcement, also known as reward training.

Positive reinforcement is also the best way to retrain a dog that has behaviour problems, especially one that has been abused in the past. Getting the respect and trust of an abused dog can be very difficult and positive reinforcement is better than any other training method at creating this important bond.

No matter what type of dog you are working with, chances are it can be helped with positive reinforcement training methods.  Based training methods on respect and trust, rather than on intimidation and fear, is the best way to get the most from any dog.

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Training your dog with a training collar and leash

The leash and training collar is the most basic piece of equipment used in training a dog.  Using the lead and training collar properly is vital to successful dog training.  The training collar is designed to apply a specific amount of pressure each time the leash is tightened.  The amount of pressure put on the leash controls the amount of pressure placed on the training collar and the pressure can be adjusted according to how the dog responds.

How each dog responds to training with the leash and training collar is quite variable.  Some dogs barely react the first time they encounter a collar and leash, while others fight this strange contraption with all their might.  It is important to recognize how your own dog reacts and to adapt your training program as needed.

The first part of training with collar and leash, of course, is to purchase a quality, well made training collar that will fit your dog properly.  There are many types of training collars and leashes on the market.  The most important thing is to choose one that is sturdy and well made.  The last thing you want to do is chase your dog down after he has broken his collar.

The length of the collar should be approximately two inches longer than the circumference of the dog’s neck.  It is important to accurately measure the dog’s neck using a measuring tape.  In order to get an accurate measurement, you must make sure that the tape is not tight around the dog’s neck.

Most training collars come in even sizes, so you should round up to the next size if your dog’s neck is an odd number.  It is important that the chain that attaches to the collar be placed at the top of the dog’s neck.  That is where the training collar is designed to apply the best pressure.

The ability to apply varying degrees of pressure and to relieve that pressure instantly, is what makes a training collar such an effective tool. It usually takes new users a little while to get used to using the training collar and some styles of training collar require more finesse than others.  If you are unsure which collar to choose, be sure to ask a professional dog trainer, or the management staff at your local pet store, for help.

After you have become familiar with the way the training collar works, it is time to begin using it to train your dog to walk properly on a lead.  The well trained dog is one who will walk at his owner’s side on a loose lead, neither dropping behind nor charging ahead.

The well trained dog will also vary his pace to meet that of his handler.  Under no circumstances should the handler be forced to change his or her pace to match that of the dog. 

If the dog does begin to charge ahead, it is important to correct the dog promptly by giving a quick tug on the leash.  This will give the dog a good reminder that he needs to change his pace.  It is important to quickly relieve the pressure as soon as the dog responds.  The training collar is designed to relieve pressure as soon as the leash is loosened.

Most dogs will immediately respond to corrections by a good, properly used training collar.  If the dog does not respond as directed, it may be necessary to apply greater pressure.  This can be especially true of large dogs or those who have pre-existing behavior or control problems.  If you are still unable to get a response from your dog, it is possible that you are using a training collar that is not large enough for your dog.  If you think this may be the case, be sure to ask for expert advice before proceeding.

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Training your dog the right way – the basics

In order to be considered properly trained, there are some basic commands that he or she must master.  Understanding these basic commands is vital to the well being of the dog, the owner and the family.

Learning just a few basic commands can go a long way toward creating a dog that is a joy to be around.  Everyone has seen examples of both well trained and poorly trained dogs, and few people would opt for the poorly trained varieties.  Training a dog properly the first time is especially vital for owners of dog breeds that have been bred for their aggressiveness, such as pit bulls, Doberman pinchers and German shepherds.

In addition, proper training is important for families with young children.  Young children can torment dogs and cause biting reactions, so it is important that the dog learn how to deal with these types of situations.

The basic obedience commands that every dog must know are – “Heel”, “No”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Down” and “Off”.  These six commands form the basis of every basic obedience class and it is vital that you and your dog master these basic commands.  These are the fundamentals and it will be impossible to move onto other commands, or to correct problem behaviors, without having mastered the basics.

Heel

Let’s start with the most basic command of all, the heel command.  Teaching a dog to heel is the fundamental first step in teaching the dog to walk properly on the lead.  The proper place for the dog to walk is at your side, neither lagging behind nor straining to get ahead.

If your dog begins to forge ahead on the lead, gently tug on the lead.  This will cause the training collar to tighten and give the dog a gentle reminder to fall back into line.  If the dog begins to lag behind, gently urge him forward.  A lure or toy is a good tool for the dog that constantly lags behind.

Once the dog is consistently walking at your side, try changing your pace and encouraging the dog to match his pace with yours.  It should always be the dog who adjusts his pace to you; you should never adjust your pace to meet the needs of the dog.

The word “No”

The word no is an important one for your dog to learn, and one you may be using a lot as training begins.  It is important that the dog learn to respond to a sharp “No” promptly and obediently.

The “Sit” command

The sit command is another vital link in the chain that is dog training.  Teaching a dog to sit on command, using voice commands alone, will form the groundwork of much future training, so it is important for the dog to master this vital skill.

The sit command can be combined with the heel command.  As you walk alongside your dog, stop abruptly.  If your dog does not stop when you do, give a sharp tug on the leash to remind the dog.  Many dogs will instinctively stop when you do, while others need to be reminded through the use of the lead and the training collar. 

Once the dog has stopped by your side, urge him to sit by pushing gently on his hindquarters.  It is important not to use too much pressure, or to push him down abruptly.  Doing so could frighten, or even injure the dog. Rather, apply a steady downward pressure.  Most dogs will recognize this as a sit command. It is important to say the word sit as you do this.

Repeat this procedure a few times by walking, stopping and sitting your dog.  After a few repetitions, the dog will probably begin to sit down on his own every time he stops.  It is important to say the word sit each time, so that the dog will eventually learn to respond to voice commands alone.

The “Stay” command

Like the sit command, the stay command is a vital building block to other, more advanced training.  For instance, the stay command is vital to teaching the dog to come when called, which is in turn vital to off leash work.

The stay command can be made into an extension of the sit command.  Have your dog sit and while he is sitting, slowly back away.  If the dog begins to follow you, as he probably will it first, come back to the dog and ask him to sit again.  Repeat the process until you can reach the end of the lead without your dog getting up from a sitting position.

After the dog is reliably staying where you indicate, you can try dropping the lead and backing further away.  It will probably take the dog some time to reliably stay where he is put without becoming distracted.

The “Down” command

The down command is another important part of any basic obedience training program.  Teaching a dog to lie down on command is much more than an entertaining trick.  The down command is very important in regaining control of a dog, or stopping a dog who is engaged in an inappropriate behavior.

The “Off” command

The off command is just as vital to as the other commands and it forms the basis for later training, especially when training the dog not to chase people, cars, bikes, cats, etc.

For instance, when training a dog to remain still when a bicycle goes by, the owner would stand with the dog calmly on the lead.  If the dog begins to strain against the lead, the owner sharply issues an “Off” command accompanied by a tug of the lead.  Eventually the dog will learn to respond to the voice command alone.

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Training your dog not to chase cars

One of the most serious, and unfortunately most common, problem behaviours among dogs is that of chasing cars.  Dogs must be trained as early as possible that chasing cars is not acceptable.  That is because dogs that chase cars eventually become dogs that catch cars and car plus dog always equals big trouble.

There are many reasons that dogs chase cars.  For one thing, chasing moving objects is an ingrained, instinctual behavior that can never be completely removed.  Chasing behaviours however can and should be controlled through a combination of good training and supervision.

Some dogs are more apt to chase cars, bikes, joggers, cats and other dogs than are others.  Dogs that have a high prey drive, including breeds that have been bred for hunting, are particularly susceptible to the thrill of the chase. Herding breeds are also apt to chase cars, attempt to herd the neighbour’s children, or express other undesired traits of their breeding.

One reason that many dogs chase cars in particular is that they have learned to associate cars with good time and fun things.  Most dogs love to ride in the car and when they see a car they may try to chase it down for a ride.

No matter what your dog’s motivation for chasing cars, however, it is important to curb this dangerous behaviour as quickly as possible.  Training the dog not to chase cars starts with teaching the dog the meaning of the “Off” command.   The “Off” command is one of the basic tenets of obedience and it must be mastered by every dog.

Teaching the dog to stay where he is, even if interesting, exciting things are happening elsewhere, is very important to all aspects of dog training.  In the world of professional dog training, this is sometimes referred to as distraction training.  Distraction training is very important and it is applicable to teaching the dog not to chase cars.

Teaching this important lesson is not something you will be able to do on your own.  You will need at least one other person – a volunteer who will slowly drive by and tempt your car with his bright, shiny object.  You will stand with your dog on his lead as the volunteer drives by.  Having the volunteer drive your own car can provide an even greater temptation, since dogs are able to distinguish one car from another.  If your car is the one that provides his rides, it is likely to be the most tempting object in the world.

When your friend drives by, either in your car or his, watch your dog’s reaction carefully.  If he begins to jump up or move away, repeat the “Off” command and quickly return your dog to the sitting position.  If he remains where he is, be sure to give him lavish amounts of praise and perhaps a treat or two.

Repeat this process many times over the course of a few days.  Once your dog is reliably remaining seated when your friend drives by, start lengthening the distance between yourself and your dog.  A long, retractable lead works great for this process.  Slowly lengthen the distance between you and your dog, while still making sure you have control.

Even after your dog is trained to not chase cars, however, it is important to not leave him out off the lead unsupervised.  Leaving a dog unattended, except for within a properly and securely fenced in garden, is simply asking for trouble.  Dogs are unpredictable, and it is always possible that the chase instinct could kick in at exactly the wrong moment.  The best strategy is to confine the dog when you cannot supervise him.

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Training the shy or fearful puppy or dog

With dogs as with people, some dogs and puppies are naturally more bold and daring than others.  When you watch a group of puppies play, it will quickly become apparent which ones are bold and which ones are shy.  Some of the puppies will hang back at the edge of the pack, perhaps fearful of angering the stronger dogs, while others will jump right into the fray and start jostling for control.

Working with a shy puppy or dog, or one that is fearful, presents its own special challenges.  Of course bold, forceful dogs present challenges of their own, especially with control and leadership issues.  Every type of puppy or dog has its own unique personality and its own unique training challenges as a result.

One important reason to build confidence in a fearful dog is to prevent biting.  High fear dogs often become biters to deal with their fear of new situations and this type of fear response can be dangerous for you and your dog.  It is important to teach the puppy or dog that new situations and new people are nothing to fear and that they are not out to hurt him.

Signs of fear in both puppies and dogs include being afraid of strangers, being suspicious of new situations and avoiding certain people or objects.  A fearful puppy or dog may also snap or bite, especially when cornered. 

If you recognize signs of fear in your dog or puppy, it is important to act quickly.  Fear responses can quickly become ingrained in a dog and once those fear memories are planted they can be difficult to erase.  Properly socializing a young puppy is essential to making sure your dog is not fearful and will not become a fear biter.  Many puppies are raised as only dogs, but even these puppies should be given the opportunity to play with other puppies and with well socialized older dogs and friendly cats as well.  The more novel situations the puppy encounters when he is young, the better he will be able to adapt to new situations as an adult dog.

Adapting to new and changing situations is a vital life skill that every puppy must learn.  As you know, the world is constantly changing and adapting and it is vital that both you and your four legged companion learn to take these changes in stride.

It is important for owners to not inadvertently reinforce or reward shy or fearful behaviours.  For instance, when a puppy or dog shows fear, by whining, crying or hiding, it is only natural for the owner to go over and reassure the dog.  This type of reassurance, however, can be misinterpreted by the animal as a sign of approval from the pack leader.

When the dog or puppy displays fearful or shy behaviour, the best strategy is simply to ignore him.  The dog must be able to learn on his own that there is nothing to fear.  If left alone, a dog will often start to explore the fearful object on his own, thereby learning that the initial fear reaction was mistaken.  The owner must allow the dog to explore things on his own and not try to coddle or over protect him.

Another reason for fear reactions, particularly in older dogs, is past abuse or lack of proper socialization as puppies.  The window for good puppy socialization is relatively short and once this window has closed it can be difficult to teach a dog how to socialize with dogs and other animals.  Likewise, a dog that has been abused probably has all sorts of negative associations and it is up to a patient owner to work with the dog to replace those fear reactions with more appropriate responses.

When working with an older fearful dog, it is important not to try to rush the socialization and fear abatement process.  It is best to simply allow the dog to explore things on his own, even if it means he spends a lot of time hiding from the perceived monster.  Trying to force the dog to confront the things he fears will do more harm than good.

It is also important to address already ingrained fear based behaviours, such as biting, snapping and growling, whether they result from past abuse, a lack of socialization or a combination of factors.  If the dog is frightened and reacts defensively to strangers, it is important to introduce him slowly.  It is important to correct these potentially dangerous behaviours, however, and teach the dog that fear is no excuse for growling, snapping or biting.  The best way to do this is to immediately reprimand and correct the dog when he bites, snaps or growls at anyone. 

The dog should be generously rewarded the minute it stops displaying aggressive behavior.  If you do find yourself having to reprimand your dog for displaying aggressive behaviours, it probably means you have tried to move him along too quickly.  It is important to avoid threatening situations as much as possible until the dog has built up the confidence it takes to deal with those situations.  If you think you have moved too fast, take a few steps back and let the dog regain his confidence.

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Taking your dog training off lead

Many dog owners are anxious to give their four legged companions the freedom of going off lead, but it is important not to rush that important step.  Dogs should only be allowed off their lead after they have become masters of all the basic obedience commands, such as walking at your heel, sitting and staying on command

Another skill that must be completely mastered before the dog can be taken off the lead is the come when called command.  Even if the dog can heel, sit and stay perfectly, if he cannot be relied upon to come when called, he is not ready to be taken off the lead.

Taking any dog off the lead, especially in a busy, crowded area, or one with a lot of traffic, is a big step and not one to be taken lightly.  It is vital to adequately test your dog in a safe environment before taking him off his lead.  After all, the lead is the main instrument of control.  You must be absolutely certain you can rely on your voice commands for control before removing the lead.

After the dog has been trained to understand the sit, stay and come when called commands, it is important to challenge the dog with various distractions.  It is a good idea to start by introducing other people, other animals, or both, while the dog is in a safe environment like a fenced in garden.  Have a friend or neighbour stand just outside the fence while you hold you dog on the lead.  As the friend or family member walks around the outside of the fence, watch your dog’s reactions closely.  If he starts to pull at the lead, quickly tug him back. 

Repeat this exercise until the dog will reliably remain at your side.  After this, you can try dropping the lead and eventually removing the lead and repeating the distraction.  It is important to vary the distractions, such as introducing other animals, other people, traffic, rolling balls, etc.

After your dog is able to remain still in the face of distraction, start introducing the come when called lessons with distractions in place.  Try inviting some of the neighbours and their dogs, over to play.  As the dogs are playing in the fenced in garden, try calling your dog.  When the dog comes to you, immediately give him lots of praise and perhaps a food reward.  After the dog has been rewarded, immediately allow him to go back to playing.  Repeat this several times throughout the day, making sure each time to reward the dog and immediately allow him to go back to his fun.

After the dog has seemingly mastered coming when called in his own garden, try finding a local dog park or similar area where you can practice with your dog.  It is important to make the area small, or to choose a fenced in area, in case you lose control of the dog.  If you cannot find a fenced in area, choose an area well away from people and cars.  Practice with your dog by allowing him to play with other dogs, or just to sniff around, then calling your dog.  When he comes to you, immediately reward and praise him, then let him resume his previous activities.  Doing this will teach the dog that coming to you is the best option and the one most likely to bring both rewards and continued good times.

Only after the dog has consistently demonstrated the ability to come when called, even when there are many distractions around, is it safe to allow him time off lead.  Off lead time should never be unsupervised time.  It is important, both for your well being and your dog’s, that you know where he is and what he is doing at all times.  It is easy for a dog to get into trouble quickly, so you should always keep an eye on him, whether he is chasing squirrels in the park, playing with other dogs, or just chasing a ball with the neighbours kids.

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Eliminating problem dog behaviours – jumping and roaming

Every dog owner must eventually deal with some unwanted behaviours on the part of their four legged companions.  Some of the most frequently encountered training problems with puppies and dogs alike are jumping on people and performing those amazing feats of escape.

Jumping up on people

Jumping up on people can be a cute trick for puppies, but it quickly becomes a problem behavior as the dog gets older, larger and heavier.  A very heavy dog can easily knock a child or even a small adult of his or her feet, so jumping on people can be a dangerous problem as well as an annoying one.

The reason puppies and older dogs jump on people is obvious – they are excited and happy to see them.  Many people are reluctant to discourage this exuberant behavior, but it is important to redirect that happiness and energy in other ways.  Many well meaning owners, family members and friends inadvertently encourage this jumping up behaviour by picking the puppy up, kissing it or otherwise providing encouragement.

This type of inconsistency is anathema to proper dog training, and in order for the dog to be trained not to jump, every member of the family must recognize and accept the importance of the training.  If one member of the family allows the dog to jump up while other family members do not, the dog will understandably become confused and frustrated.  The training must be firm, kind and consistent in order to be effective.

One way to redirect the dog’s happiness and excitedness from jumping is to teach him to lift his paw when greeting you.  This “shaking hands” posture is an acceptable way for the dog to show his happiness and his respect.  Many people even teach their dogs to do simple tricks, like rolling over, instead of jumping on people.

Escaping and roaming the neighbourhood

A responsible dog owner would never dream of allowing his or her dog to roam the neighbourhood freely.  Allowing a dog to roam on its own is irresponsible, dangerous (to the dog and the neighbourhood) and probably even illegal.  Most towns have laws which prohibit dogs from being allowed to roam around free, so you could be in legal trouble if your dog is found wandering the neighbourhood unattended.

Of course sometimes that wandering dog is not the owner’s idea and many dogs perform amazing feats of escape when left on their own.  The temptations for unattended dogs are many, including passing bicycles, joggers, children, cats and other dogs.  It is much easier to prevent escapes than to recapture a loose dog, so let’s talk about some preventative measures every dog owner can take.

Removing the motivation to escape is a big part of the solution.  A bored dog is much more likely to spend his day plotting the great escape.  A dog that is surrounded by everything he or she needs, like lots of toys, a soft bed, and plenty of fresh clean, water, is more likely to spend his or her day contentedly sleeping or playing with toys until the owner returns.

In addition, a dog with lots of pent up, unused energy is likely to try to escape. Try incorporating several vigorous play sessions with your dog into your daily routine.  Make one of those play sessions right before you leave.  If your dog has a chance to work of his or her energy, chances are he or she will sleep or relax much of the day.

Of course dealing with the dog is only half the problem.  It is also important to make the property as escape proof as possible, through proper fencing and other measures.  For dogs that dig, it may be necessary to extend the fence underground by placing metal stakes in the ground every few feet.  For dogs that jump, it may be necessary to make the fence higher.  And if none of these measures work, it may be necessary to confine the dog to the house when you are not at home.

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Training your dog to not pull on the lead

Pulling on the lead is one of the most common misbehaviours seen on all kinds of dogs.  Puppies and adult dogs alike can often be seen taking their owners for walks, instead of the other way around.  Pulling on the lead can be much more than an annoying habit.  Lead pulling can lead to escape in the case of a break in the collar or lead and an out of control, off lead dog can be both destructive and dangerous to itself and to others.

Lead pulling can result from a variety of different things.  In some cases, the dog may simply be so excited to go for a walk that he or she is unable to control themselves.  In other cases, the dog sees itself as the leader of the pack and he or she simply takes the “leadership position” at the front of the pack.

If excitement is the motivation for lead pulling, simply giving the dog a few minutes to calm down can often be a big help.  Simply stand with the dog on the lead for a couple minutes and let the initial excitement of the upcoming walk pass.  After the initial excitement ahs worn off, many dogs are willing to walk calmly on their lead.

If the problem is one of control, however, some retraining may be in order.  All dog training starts with the owner establishing him or herself as the alpha dog, or pack leader, and without this basic respect and understanding, no effective training can occur.  For dogs exhibiting these type of control issues, a step back to basic obedience commands is in order.  These dogs can often be helped through a formal obedience school structure.  The dog trainer will of course be sure to train the handler as well as the dog and any good dog trainer will insist on working with the dog owner as well as the dog.

The basis of teaching the dog to walk calmly on the lead is teaching it to calmly accept the collar and lead.  A dog that is bouncing up and down while the collar is being put on will not walk properly.  Begin by asking your dog to sit down and insisting that he sit still while the collar is put on.  If the dog begins to get up, or gets up on his own after the collar is on, be sure to sit him back down immediately.  Only begin the walk after the dog has sat calmly to have the collar put on and continued to sit calmly as the lead is attached.

Once the lead is attached, it is important to make the dog walk calmly toward the door.  If the dog jumps or surges ahead, gently correct him with a tug of the lead and return him to a sitting position.  Make the dog stay and then move on again.  Repeat this process until the dog is walking calmly by your side.

Repeat the above process when you reach the door.  The dog should not be allowed to surge out of the door, or to pull you through the open door.  If the dog begins this behaviour, return the dog to the house and make him sit quietly until he can be trusted to walk through the door properly.  Starting the walk in control is vital to creating a well mannered dog.

As you begin your walk, it is vital to keep the attention of the dog focused on you at all times.  Remember, the dog should look to you for guidance, not take the lead himself.  When walking, it is important to stop often.  Every time you stop, your dog should stop.  Getting into the habit of asking your dog to sit down every time you stop is a good way to keep your dog’s attention focused on you.  Make sure your dog is looking at you, and then move off again.  If the dog begins to surge ahead, immediately stop and ask the dog to sit.  Repeat this process until the dog is reliability staying at your side.  Each time the dog does what you ask him to, be sure to reward him with a treat, a toy or just your praise.

Remember that if your dog pulls on the lead and you continue to walk him anyway, you are inadvertently rewarding that unwanted behaviour.  Dogs learn whether you are teaching them or not, and learning the wrong things now will make learning the right things later that much harder.  It is important to be consistent in your expectations.  Every time the dog begins to pull ahead, immediately stop and make the dog sit.  Continue to have the dog sit quietly until his focus is solely on you.  Then start out again, making sure to immediately stop moving if the dog surges ahead.