Responsible pet owners and obedient dogs are not born that way--
they are educated. Many people do not realize that a dog needs
an education, just as a child does, to function successfully in
our society. No dog can become a well behaved member of the household
without training. Training gives you a more controlled dog at
home and in public; plus, gives stability to your dog's life by
letting him know what you expect of him.
Dogs need to learn what different words, commands, and gestures
mean. A well trained dog is capable of learning and understanding
the meaning of 40 or more words. Every dog needs to know five
basic commands: heel, sit, down, come, and stay. In an emergency,
the knowledge of these five commands could actually save your
pet's life.
Dogs do not understand our language, so we must show them what
we want them to do and what our words mean. For example, when
teaching your dog to sit, you need to give the"sit" command, while
simultaneously guiding him into the sit position with your hands.
After you get your dog to sit, it is very important to praise
your dog so that he associates the "sit" word with his behavior
and realizes that is what you want him to do when you give him
that command.
A dog learns by repetition; it takes approximately 100 repetitions
of a command before a dog fully understands the meaning of a word.
A well trained dog obeys you instantly with one command under
any circumstance. Do not assume that your dog knows a command
if he only obeys the command some of the time. Your dog might
have an acquaintance with the work, but he probably does not truly
comprehend its meaning. Keep training him and eventually he will
obey the command every time it is issued.
A dog is very much like a young child and interacts with his
human family very much in the same way a child interacts with
his own family. Once a dog knows his master is the source of his
needs and wants, he will experiment with different methods of
attracting your attention to get what he desires, just as a child
does with his parents. For example, if your dog learns he gets
what he wants by whining, he will whine. It is important to channel
these inclinations into paths you desire and to eliminate the
behavior that is undesirable.
In training, in appropriate behavior is discouraged and never
tolerated, while appropriate behavior is always encouraged. A
dog that is praised when he does something right and corrected
when he does something wrong, learns acceptable behavior. This
is done by consistent reinforcement. A well trained dog knows
what he can do and what he cannot do, although like a child, he
may occasionally test his boundaries from time to time.
Your dog should obey you because he respects, loves, trusts,
and wants to please you. Training is not accomplished in a day,
a week, or even a month; it is a lifelong commitment, but the
results will be worthwhile when your dog listens and responds
to your commands. A well trained dog is a joy to own and a true
companion.
If your dog is unruly, obnoxious, and a menace to the neighborhood,
it is your fault! It is your responsibility to educate and train
your dog to give him the skills necessary to become a well behaved
family member and a good neighborhood citizen.
By Teresa Mills
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