| When dealing with man's best friend the first thing | | | | times to reward and correct your dog during |
| you will need to do is to gain the dog's respect. | | | | training. Many people train dogs with treats, and |
| The only real way to go about this is to become | | | | treats can be a helpful aid during training. Always |
| your dogs' pack leader. Whether you have one | | | | remember that rewards and corrections should |
| dog or twenty dogs the fact remains the same. | | | | be given immediately after the behavior so that |
| You MUST become the pack leader. If your dog | | | | the dog can associate the two events. Dogs |
| thinks its his pack you're in for a bumpy ride! On | | | | aren't people and they don't think like us. |
| the other hand if you establish your dominance | | | | Remember this next time you are yelling at your |
| your dogs will not question your position as pack | | | | dog and the dog is just staring back blankly, or |
| leader making your life easier and your dog's | | | | cowering away from you. |
| more fulfilling. | | | | Most dog behavioral problems are caused by the |
| What we are trying to do is to provide our dogs | | | | dog just not getting enough exercise. Walking |
| with calm-assertive leadership. The best way to | | | | your dog is a good way to improve behavior by |
| establish yourself as the pack leader and to | | | | helping the dog rid himself of that excess energy |
| practice calm-assertive leadership is to go for | | | | that can build up. If your dog does not get |
| walks with your dogs. You should walk your dog | | | | enough exercise you may see a change in |
| every day, time permitting. Train the dog to walk | | | | personality. Dogs who are cooped up all day and |
| at your heal and to only wander off if given the | | | | never get tend to become aggressive. This is a |
| OK. One way to get your dog to walk at your | | | | result of nervous energy. You must find a way |
| heal is to use a short leash method. This way you | | | | for your dog to get rid of this. Try finding a place |
| keep the dog close to your hip, and when he tries | | | | where your dog can run. If you have a big yard |
| to take the lead or wander off you can correct | | | | this is easy, but if not you may have to find |
| immediately. To correct your dog you need only | | | | more creative ways. Try finding a nature trail |
| to pull the leash in the desired direction and say | | | | where you can let your dog run, or maybe a |
| "no", or otherwise indicate your disapproval. With | | | | street with a good sidewalk where you can run |
| daily practice and proper correction you will see a | | | | or rollerblade with the dog. |
| significant improvement in your dog's behavior, | | | | Being a leader to your dogs is the single most |
| not just on walks but in all areas. | | | | important and powerful method you can use to |
| It is important that you understand your dog's | | | | gain control over your dogs. Leadership is much |
| thought process if you want him or her to | | | | more important than actual training. If you are the |
| understand how you want them to behave. One | | | | pack leader the your dogs will respect you and |
| reason understanding your dog's thinking is so | | | | naturally defer to your authority! |
| important is so that you can identify the correct | | | | |