Pet Training 101

bysglandry

127 followers

7 years ago

Effective Dog Training Techniques

If you have reviewed my post "Dog Training 101" you know how I feel about the basic fundamentals of canine behavior and the impact it has on the trainer and the methods available to all who want their dog to be healthy and well behaved. If you have not read (#101) I urge you to do so and you will be pleased you did. Effective dog training techniques are plentiful and most often the one single and paramount factor is often overlooked. That is simply this ...... "you, the trainer", are the most critical ingredient in the recipe for success in the training and well being of your dog. Do not forget this!

Okay! You have convinced yourself that you can indeed make a significant contribution in the training of your dog and you are excited at the chance. Your dog is excited as well. Great! So how do you begin? What is the first step? How does your dog know that this is what suppose to take place? You have books, tapes, and videos that you may have read and/or watched and perhaps some council from other dog owners and friends.

Wow! With all this ammunition and great information how can you miss? All of this fabulous stuff comes into play much later. But, right now it is just you and your dog.

In order to properly communicate with your dog you must prepare him to realize that you are the very center of his attention. You will dictate training times, place, frequency as well as a reward system. Remember, your dog lives in "the moment" so keeping him focused on you may not be as difficult as you may think. Let me explain further.

He lives to please you! On many occasions you have been witness to his unbridled excitement being around you. Am I right so far? This unbounded enthusiasm needs to be somewhat controlled in the disciplined areas of obedience training. Below is an example of how you can maintain absolute control over his excitement and marvel at how quickly he has you as his primary focus. You are going to like this.

Ready! Here we go!

Before any training session it is a good practice to confine your dog for a brief period. Crating is a choice of many trainers and a time period of 20-30 minutes should be enough. This confinement should be as close to the training area as possible.

Select a large area of at least 100-200 sq. ft. if possible. If not a public place like a park, field, parking lot will do.

• While your dog is confined, go to your training area and select a starting point and place a marker (a stake) on/in the ground.
• Walk 50 long paces at a 45 degree angle and place another marker on the ground.
• Do this again until you have a square area on four sides (each side 50 paces).
• Prepare your dog's lease by tying 25' of rope (clothesline is good) to the looped end.
• Uncrate your dog, attach collar and leash (w/rope) and head for the training area you have set up. Got this? Good!

Listen carefully now because this is critical. At his point as you are walking towards the training area "do not look at your dog"; make absolutely no eye contact ; do not speak to your dog; make no sound whatsoever".

• Walk to the first marker and stop. Hold the rope in both hands about chest high in front of you.
• Let your dog do whatever he wants. Lots of stuff to sniff and lick and whatever.
• Observe him (without eye contact) and when he gets close to the end (edge) of the 25' rope make an immediate 45 degree turn and with long strides head for the next marker. Do not look back at the dog.
• When the rope gets taut he will feel a 'jerk' and instinctively look for you.
• Stop at the second marker and do not move. No eye contact - no sound.
• When he wanders again and gets near the end of the rope - off you go to the next marker and he will get 'jerked' again.
• Do this as many times as necessary but it will not be long before out of the corner of your eye you will see him very close by you.

With some practice your dog will soon understand that when the training exercise is to begin he will no doubt know where his focus should be. When each session is over you may incorporate your own 'atta boy' reward system.

At this point you have mastered the art of getting your dog's attention. Congratulations! I hope you give this a try and please, let me know how you did and if I can be of further help

Good Luck,

Steve sglandry42@gmail.com