| If you have found that your dog is starting to show | | | | and expert trainers know that positive reinforcement |
| aggressive tendencies, is destructive to your | | | | is more desirable than punishment. Tip #4: Penalize |
| property, or is otherwise misbehaving, you need to | | | | your dog when she makes a mistake: Of course, |
| take action right away to nip the problem in the bud. | | | | positive reinforcement for good behavior or progress |
| Reason: if you let these problems go, your dog will | | | | in your training program are always welcome. But, |
| only get the message that this kind of behavior is | | | | when your dog makes mistakes along the way |
| somehow acceptable, which of course is something | | | | (which will happen), be sure to penalize your dog |
| you want to avoid at all costs. Here are 5 quick tips | | | | accordingly. There is no need to resort to hitting or |
| for teaching your dog obedience. Tip #1: Get your | | | | hurting your dog physically. However, a slight tug of |
| dog 's attention: The first thing you need to do is get | | | | the leash or just plain ignoring your dog for a few |
| your dog to pay attention to what you are saying. If | | | | minutes can provide enough psychological discomfort |
| you are going to be training your dog how to behave | | | | that your dog will want to start complying with your |
| properly, he or she needs to understand that you are | | | | wishes. Tip #5: Always follow your words with |
| not just messing around. You have something very | | | | consequences: Much in the way that parents are |
| important to teach and your message needs to be | | | | advised to teach children proper behavior, when |
| heard. Expert trainers often us the verbal command | | | | training your disobedient dog you need to make sure |
| "Watch Me " to get a dog to pay attention to | | | | that you actually give consequences for disobedience. |
| further training. Tip #2: Remain in control of your | | | | For example, if you tell your dog not to jump on the |
| emotions: Your dog likely knows your moods well, | | | | couch or chew on a shoe, but you often find |
| and your tone of voice and body language instantly | | | | yourself too busy to actually stop your dog from the |
| transmit to your dog how you are feeling. This | | | | offensive behavior, you are sending a mixed |
| means that you need to pay extra special attention | | | | message. Be consistent with what you say and make |
| to your own emotional state when training your dog. | | | | sure to follow through. Your dog will respect you |
| Your dog needs to be able to distinguish between | | | | more for it. Obedience problems and aggressiveness |
| the act of teaching it something new and that act of | | | | in a dog are legitimate causes for concern. At the |
| your merely unloading your anger on your dog | | | | very least, you may find yourself picking up |
| because he or she has done something destructive | | | | chewed-up newspaper bits or cleaning urine off of |
| or aggressive. If your dog acts up, gain control of | | | | your carpet more often than you like. If things |
| your temper before you start your lesson and the | | | | worsen, the personal safety and property of those |
| effects will be much more powerful and lasting. Tip | | | | around your dog could be at risk. If your dog is |
| #3: Give credit where credit is due: When your dog | | | | experiencing problems like these, take action right |
| makes some progress during your obedience training | | | | away and bring back the loving, warm companion |
| - even if it is just a small step in the right direction - | | | | that you had always intended to have. |
| be sure to credit your dog with the win. A kind word | | | | Canine obedience problems can be a financial and |
| or an extra doggy biscuit can make all the difference, | | | | emotional strain on you and those around you. |