By Len Slade
Most of us may not like it some of the time, but deep down inside we all know that we function a lot better when we have rules to abide by. Whether they are in the form of laws, social ethics, or common conventions, we have guides for our behavior in order for society to be less problematic.
Well, dogs are similar to us in that they, too, need boundaries to live by for good behavior. Establishing mental boundaries as well as physical, your dog will feel more safe and comfortable with you and its environment.
When you first bring your little puppy home, all it knows is what it wants and needs to do, and boundaries are not a natural instinct, so its up to you to set them.
The key to dog obedience training is being very consistent with your commands and routines for your dog.
For instance, here is a good analogy: if you are repetitious with your puppy about not jumping on the sofa after a bath, coming in for a walk, or any other time, your dog will learn that this is not appropriate behavior. You can do this by firmly but lovingly commanding your puppy to not jump on the couch by using the words " no, down" or just "down".
If your puppy continues to obey your commands, reward him or her with a treat or a pet and the words "good boy or girl" or use their name instead of boy or girl.
Not having your puppy jump on your sofa at home means that he or she will not jump on others sofas when you are visiting friends or family.
This goes the same way with other boundaries that you will set at home. You have to ask yourself how you would want your dog to behave in public, at home and at the homes of others.
So make sure that you get online or to your local bookstore to do your research on how to establish and be consistent with setting boundaries with your pet.
Dog training obedience skills improve if you, the owner, are stern but not abusive, and if you are consistent and rewarding to your animal when he or she obeys your command.
The truth is that obedience training is really about training the owner- you! Your puppy is like that of a child in that they do not innately know boundaries which means that they have to learn them from their guardians.
Using positive reinforcement, repetition, and rewarding techniques will make your dog behave more positively. Therefore, do not hesitate on discovering some basic techniques that involve the above concepts, your pet will certainly appreciate, and you will be a much happier owner.
Frustrated and Embarrassed by Your Dog's Behavior?
