One of the great joys of owning a dog is having a buddy to do things with- even if that just means sitting out on the deck in beautiful weather. Many dogs that come from a shelter need help to adjust to being a part of a family. Here are a few tips to help create a willing partner in your dog.
Attention- You dog likely craves attention from you. If you do not notice and reward your dog's good behavior, he may do annoying and naughty things to get your attention. After you get settled in from your day at work, spend a few minutes giving your dog attention.
Check your mood- Dogs are very sentient and pick up quickly on our moods, feelings, and attitudes, whether good or bad. When i start a training session, I always use an upbeat, excited voice and ask my dog, "Are you ready to work?" They feed off of my tone and start wagging their whole body.
Don't force your dog- I do my best to use body language and hand motions to show or lure my dog into the correct position. Dogs are quite good at understanding body language, so I use that to communicate more clearly what I want my dog to do. If the dog does not figure it out by the third try, I go back and ask him to do something simple that he already knows. I do not push on his rump to get him to sit, nor do I pull his front legs out from under him to get him to lay down to continue if he just doesn't get it because it then becomes frustrating to both me and my dog.
Invite your dog to join you in fun- Smile, praise and pet your dog frequently when he is doing what you want. Give treats as rewards. My voice is excited and upbeat as I encourage my dog to try new or difficult things such as climbing an open staircase or an "A" frame. Cheer him on!
Reward appropriately- Your dog should have to earn the treats, lavish praise and petting for good behavior, and given out randomly. I do not give a treat every time my dog sits when asked. I smile and say "Yes!" to mark the desired behavior, but I randomize the treats and play so that he will be eager to comply thinking he may get the treat this time.
Happy training!
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