We are a society very much attuned to what is politically correct. Many people believe a person who breaks the law had, as the cause, an abused childhood. The same could be said for dogs. A puppy that is beaten, starved, abandoned and made to suffer privation in any form should, according to this standard, be a 'bad' dog. Such is not the case, any more than all children who go hungry and neglected, are beaten and abused, turn out to be criminals. That is not to say this could be the case but it is not an absolute. It could be a contributing factor.
By the same token, a puppy raised with affection and care won't necessarily be a happy, well behaved dog. On the contrary, unless some regular, basic training is done, a puppy will probably turn into a chewer of furniture and clothing, He may bark and annoy the neighbors and it is a given that he will pull on his leash, jump on people and, in just about every way imaginable, be a nuisance and a pest.
Over the years, I have given my dogs 'jobs.' It may be something as simple as escorting me to the door (where they are taught to sit quietly at my side) or to carry in the mail. They are happiest when there is consistency in their life, a routine. Their minds and bodies are exercised on a daily basis; they are groomed regularly and are exposed, with forethought and gentleness, as much as is possible, to new and stimulating circumstances. They are fed at the same time of day and changes are introduced slowly.
Discipline is an important factor in having a happy, well behaved dog. A dog needs to know the rules. I am not anthropomorphizing when I say this. I have come to this conclusion after years of observation, research, and hands on experience.
Dogs are pack animals and a person who lives with a dog needs to be the pack leader. A good leader is consistent and patient and allows almost no straying from the established norm nor is he arbitrary in what he considers correct behavior. If he isn't, then confusion and frustration for everyone is the result. However, it is the dog who is usually blamed for the misbehavior.
There are different schools of thought about dog training. Some people use treats, some toys, some clickers and some abuse. It is my belief that a dog trained through fear and intimidation is a bite waiting to happen. Positive reinforcement, on the other hand, combined with good timing, consistency and patience can change the behavior of even the most stubborn pup. A kind person begets a kind dog. Kindness isn't an indicator of weakness; rather, it's an extraordinary asset for training any animal.
Another important part of training is timing. If a dog doesn't understand why it is given a treat or has a treat withheld, the linking of behavior to reward is much more difficult to make. A good trainer is very clear in what is needed to get that tasty tidbit. He starts slowly with very clear directions and awards the prize, the motivation for doing what is asked, immediately upon getting the behavior asked for. At times, it may be necessary to reward the inclination to do what is asked.
As an example, do you have a dog that doesn't come when he is called? Not only is lack of recall dangerous, it's extremely annoying to call and call and watch Rover ignore you until he has tired of whatever it is he is doing. How do you, as a trainer, replace the indifference of the recall with the enthusiasm to return to you?
There are many books, DVD's, TV shows and private trainers who can show you what to do to change your dog's behavior. Hopefully, you will learn that something as minor as a slight movement toward you if you are teaching the recall is worthy of a reward. Never ask for something from your dog that you can't enforce and be lavish with your praise when you get what you want, even if it is only one step!
By the same token, a puppy raised with affection and care won't necessarily be a happy, well behaved dog. On the contrary, unless some regular, basic training is done, a puppy will probably turn into a chewer of furniture and clothing, He may bark and annoy the neighbors and it is a given that he will pull on his leash, jump on people and, in just about every way imaginable, be a nuisance and a pest.
Over the years, I have given my dogs 'jobs.' It may be something as simple as escorting me to the door (where they are taught to sit quietly at my side) or to carry in the mail. They are happiest when there is consistency in their life, a routine. Their minds and bodies are exercised on a daily basis; they are groomed regularly and are exposed, with forethought and gentleness, as much as is possible, to new and stimulating circumstances. They are fed at the same time of day and changes are introduced slowly.
Discipline is an important factor in having a happy, well behaved dog. A dog needs to know the rules. I am not anthropomorphizing when I say this. I have come to this conclusion after years of observation, research, and hands on experience.
Dogs are pack animals and a person who lives with a dog needs to be the pack leader. A good leader is consistent and patient and allows almost no straying from the established norm nor is he arbitrary in what he considers correct behavior. If he isn't, then confusion and frustration for everyone is the result. However, it is the dog who is usually blamed for the misbehavior.
There are different schools of thought about dog training. Some people use treats, some toys, some clickers and some abuse. It is my belief that a dog trained through fear and intimidation is a bite waiting to happen. Positive reinforcement, on the other hand, combined with good timing, consistency and patience can change the behavior of even the most stubborn pup. A kind person begets a kind dog. Kindness isn't an indicator of weakness; rather, it's an extraordinary asset for training any animal.
Another important part of training is timing. If a dog doesn't understand why it is given a treat or has a treat withheld, the linking of behavior to reward is much more difficult to make. A good trainer is very clear in what is needed to get that tasty tidbit. He starts slowly with very clear directions and awards the prize, the motivation for doing what is asked, immediately upon getting the behavior asked for. At times, it may be necessary to reward the inclination to do what is asked.
As an example, do you have a dog that doesn't come when he is called? Not only is lack of recall dangerous, it's extremely annoying to call and call and watch Rover ignore you until he has tired of whatever it is he is doing. How do you, as a trainer, replace the indifference of the recall with the enthusiasm to return to you?
There are many books, DVD's, TV shows and private trainers who can show you what to do to change your dog's behavior. Hopefully, you will learn that something as minor as a slight movement toward you if you are teaching the recall is worthy of a reward. Never ask for something from your dog that you can't enforce and be lavish with your praise when you get what you want, even if it is only one step!
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