Keys for Successful Dog Training

1. Establish ground rules for your dog that you can live with in your home.

2. Remember always that a dog lives in the moment. When training your dog, there is 1.3 seconds to praise him for a job well done.

 3. Do not allow your dog to be the first one to greet visitors who come into your home.  You, as the leader of the pack, must be the first to greet visitors.

 4.  Do not approach or greet your dog when you first enter your home. Once the dog calms down, instead of you going over to the dog, call the dog to you and greet him.

 5. Do not allow your dog to compromise with you.  You are his leader and there are no gray zones.

 6.  Do not allow play biting with humans.  He must learn that under no circumstances do his teeth touch human skin. 

7. Do not reward your dog for unwanted behavior. Pawing, nudging, barking or other bad behaviors should not be praised or rewarded. They should be ignored and/or corrected.

 8.   Watch the feeding order. Always feed your dog after the other family members have eaten.

 9.   Do learn to anticipate your dogs’ actions and be ready to redirect his attention to you.  If he cannot look at an excitement, he cannot go after it.

 10.   Do learn to master walking with your dog. A dog should be focused on his leader and the task of walking.  Keep moving!

 11.  Do learn to be consistent, persistent, and remain in a calm voice and manner when training your dog. Screaming, yelling and sounding frustrated only transfers your anxiety to your dog.