While obedience training can significantly influence how you and your dog interagt, the nature of your relationship also depends heavily on your role as the pack leader. By establishing pack order early in your dog's development, you can positively influence the outcome of obedience training. If your dog respects you, it will obey your commands. It is important to remember that hitting your dog as a means of establishing your dominance is counterproductive. Dogs become distrustful of people who hit them and often behave aggressively as a result.
There are several techniques for establishing your dog's position as a lower-ranking pack member. When used properly and with good reason, the dominance exercises described below can be effective in stemming or stopping problem behavior. If your dog already accepts your role as the pack leader, these exercises will not be necessary. It is best to perform the exercises when your dog is still developing mentally and physically. Always proceed cautiously, since the dog may react adversely. Keep in mind also that many problems in the home can often be easily resolved through basic obedience training. If you are unsure about the need for dominance exercises or how to perform them correctly, consult a trainer for professional advice.
Suspension: Dangle your dog in front of you, face forward, by holding it under its front legs. As soon as it begins to resist-- whether by struggling, whining, barking or biting-- shake it firmly and resolutely say "no." Praise your dog once it cooperates and submits to your control. An older or more dominant dog may be less likely to submit than a puppy. If so, shake it several times until it relaxes and avoids your eye contact. Then praise it enthusiastically and release it.
Pins or Alpha Rolls: Gently, but firmly, pin your dog to the ground so that it is lying on its side. Hold it by the neck and hip so that it does not move. Respond to any sign of struggle or resistance by shaking your dog firmly and saying "no." As soon as it relaxes fully, praise it for its obedience and let it get up.
Handling: Teaching your dog to be handled or examined is not only important for your relationship, but will benefit your veterinarian as well. Start with a particular area of your dog's body, such as it fare. Look into its mouth, inspect its ears, examine its eyes. Then move on to another area, wiggling, touching and lifting different body parts as appropriate. When you are done, praise your dog and speak to it soothingly.
Nothing reinforces good behavior like a reward. Together with corrections, consistent and timely rewards are at the heart of successful training.
Food is perhaps the most widely used and the most effective form of reward. It is also the easiest to abuse. Food should be used as reinforcement for obedience and good behavior-- not as bribery. The best way to avoid the food-as-bribery syndrome is to use food sparingly in training and to eventually phase it out.
Food is best used when teaching your dog a new behavior. Offer a food reward the first few times your dog responds correctly to a new command. Use the reward randomly and less often as your dog improves, eliminating it altogether once your dog fully understands the command and responds accordingly. Always use small pieces of food as rewards so that the dog does not lose focus by chewing on a treat for a long time.
Verbal and physical praise, given generously and enthusiastically, are easy and highly effective ways to reward your dog. Don't be overly concerned with what you tell your dog; it's how you say it that counts. A high-pitched, friendly and loving tone means more to your dog than lavish compliments. Pefting, scratching and stroking are also effective rewards provided they are done while your dog is obeying you.
In addition to rewarding your dog for specific behaviors, it is also important to reward it for the training session itself. Lefting your dog play after each session reinforces training as a positive experience. Your dog is also likely to associate training sessions with fun if it is allowed to indulge in its favorite games afterwards. After all, training should be fun!
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