Your dog may never
be headed for the ring at the Westminster Kennel Club, but that
doesn’t mean he can’t be as well-mannered as this year’s Best
in Show contenders – well, almost. Along with love, good nutrition
and health care, proper training is one of the most important things
you can provide for your dog’s long-term health and well-being. In
fact, the American Humane Society lists a lack of training as one of
the main reasons dogs are surrendered to shelters or re-homed. Poor
training can ultimately result in a dog being injured or euthanized.
Keep your best friend safe and happy by following these tips for
training a well-mannered dog:
Stay
Positive
Positive reinforcement is the quickest way to teach your
dog to repeat a wanted behavior. She lives for your praise and
attention, and the liver treats in your pocket! The “Sit” command
is typically the first obedience command puppies master because it’s
something they do naturally. When she sits, praise her and give her a
treat. It won’t take long for her to begin sitting pretty each time
you ask. The same method of praise and reward works with even the
most complicated set of commands.
Be Quick, but not
too Quick
Timing is essential when correcting or rewarding a
behavior. A reward should immediately follow the wanted behavior, not
before a command has been correctly executed or after it’s already
been released. The crucial element of timing is why many people use
the clicker method of training. A clicker is a small device that
makes a clicking sound when pressed. Using a clicker to reinforce the
wanted behavior may help you teach your dog manners.
Keep it
Fun
Training should be an enjoyable activity for you and your dog.
Keep sessions short, no more than about 5 to 10 minutes for puppies
and 10 to 15 minutes for adults. The mental exercise of training can
exhaust a young dog quickly. Watch for signs that your dog is getting
tired. If she acts “stubborn” or seems disinterested, it may be
her way of saying she’s had enough.
Begin and end each
training session with play. A little dose of unconditional love and a
game of fetch with his favorite ball will have your dog looking
forward to his training sessions.
Be Consistent –
Be Patient
Teaching your dog to be well-mannered isn’t a “one
and done” event. It takes time and repetition for your dog to
master new skills and practice to help her remember them. As long as
you maintain a positive attitude, respect her abilities and maintain
realistic expectations, your dog will soon be exhibiting the kind of
manners that will make her welcome in even the most exclusive dog
parks!
Reasons to not adopt a dog for your household are valid and many:
“He won’t
take care of it!”
“She’ll hurt it!”
“He’ll kill
it!”
“She won’t walk it!”
“He won’t feed it!”
“She
won’t bathe it!”
“I won’t have the time or patience to
pick up his slack!”
“Oh, I don’t do animals!”
But
there are quite a few good reasons why Rover could be a great asset
to your household (unless you seem to itch and sneeze when
you’re around fur). Read on to learn why.
Workout Buddies
A dog could do a
body some good with all the running, walking, jogging and playing
your your family will engage in when you interact with Rover. A
new study from St George’s University in London revealed that
children who had a pet exercised on average ten minute more than
those who didn’t own a dog. So the next time you drive by a pet
store or animal shelter, give Rover or Fifi the benefit of the
doubt. And then lay out the rules and responsibilities for household
members to follow. Additionally, owning a pet may offer a prevention
of childhood obesity, a tragic epidemic in today’s society.
Emotional Enhancers
Emotionally, pets
are beneficial, given that they love you unconditionally. Dogs may
look up to you and cats may look down at you, but there is no denying
the warm feeling you get when they cuddle with you, especially during
a breakup or a horrible day at the job. Even children find comfort
when mom and dad are fighting or on the verge of splitting up. For
the elderly or singles, dogs offer the company of a companion by
adding life to an otherwise empty household.
They’re always
waiting to welcome you home when you’ve been gone for most of the
day. They’re looking to give and receive attention that you all
need. And, they give you a reason to divert your attention to other
things, other than yourself and your problems.
Disease Fighters
Studies have found
that pets help lower blood pressure. Moreover, studies have found
that children who owned a pet experienced less bouts with allergies.
The evidence suggests that the toxins found in the mouths of dogs and
cats (which pet-owning people are automatically exposed to and
develop an immunity to through petting and playing with their pets),
help to absorb the allergy-causing agents.
Beyond the
medicinal advantages, owning a dog can teach children responsibility.
Owning a dog can teach them a thing or two about compassion. And
finally, owning a dog can help prevent break-ins and perhaps save
your life from a pre-meditated attack.
