A Better Relationship with your dog

THOUGHTS TO A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR DOG

1. The cornerstones of ALL good relationships are communication and respect. Once you have both, the byproduct is TRUST.

2. Proper training is about opening communication. Instead of teaching your dog “commands” think of teaching them vocabulary. Dogs are capable of learning hundreds of words.

3. Respect is earned not bought or bribed. Good leadership (clear communication, being predictable, taking charge when there is some threat, role modeling confidence) will lead to respect.

4. Trying to make rules without a relationship leads to rebellion.

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

1. The number one rule when you want to modify a behavior is to NOT let your dog practice the behavior you want to change.

2. It is called behavior MODIFICATION not behavior elimination. You must identify what NEW behavior you want that will REPLACE the undesired behavior.

3. A dog’s concept of right and wrong is very different from ours. Do not expect the dog to know what you may think is right or wrong. Often the information you think you are giving the dog is NOT the information the dog is receiving.

TRAINING THOUGHTS

1. Every time you interact with your dog it is TRAINING. If you are reacting to a behavior of the dog, it is training you.

2. Negative attention just brings more negative behavior. If the only way your dog can get your attention is by being bad, you will train him to act bad for more attention.

3. Catch your dog doing something right and identify and encourage that behavior.

4. If you want a dog that is consistent in responding to you, you must be consistent in your response to actions of your dog.

5. You are your dog’s primary role model. If you are not, you should be.

6. Good training puts the dog in charge of their actions. If you are assisting the dog by pushing, pulling or restraining, the dog will not learn to take responsibility for their behavior.

7. Rewards can be productive. Bribes become destructive to the relationship.

8. Nature has no form of punishment only consequences.