Dogs Rule; Or Should the Dog Have Rules?

Sometimes we go along in life without realizing that what has become normal on a daily basis around us, drives most other people crazy. Or at least it really bugs them!

As a dog trainer I have several people come to me who have been on their own, then found a relationship and the dog is coming along with one or the other or both people. What was acceptable behavior for the dog when there was one of you many times simply does not work when there are two or more of you in the household.

What better time to get some help with dog training considering it is a great thing to work on together. When it comes to the dog, finding some common ground for training can establish great communication tools for the whole family. It can come down to the way you look at it as this article Dog Behavior: Are You Managing or Training? suggests.

A perfect example is Molly who came to camp without a lot of direction in her life. Due to circumstances she had become the dog that just sort of hung out while everyone did what they needed to do. During that time she developed some of her own entertainment like getting into the garbage and using it to redecorate the house. Jumping up for a little attention at just the moment you’ve come out of the kitchen with your morning cup of coffee in your hand.

Her social habits had grown to be hard to handle for simple things like going out on a walk. The leash thing was just not something she “got” and because of it, the walk became not so fun for anyone. The natural course of action becomes hang out and wait for an opportunity to knock the garbage can over.

The great news is, Molly is on a new course of action now. She’s come to dog training camp where she has learned that the right kind attention is when she is doing things with good dog direction. Exercise has helped her immensely. Walking on a leash doesn’t have to be a scary thing and Molly is very stoked about it now.

So what do you do if you have a dog that displays this kind of behavior? How can you help everyone to take steps in the right direction? Start with two things. Come and sit. If you are frustrated with your dog’s behavior start thinking about getting a really strong “sit” for everything first.

Sounds basic I know, but in the redirection process its always better to build a very simple base first, then move to more complex actions. Walking on a leash is really built off of come and sit. A process we teach in our dog training camps, private lessons, and our online dog training programs.

Already, Molly has turned around from a dog without direction to a dog that is really happy. The exercise, knowing what to do in the house, and how to greet people brings a sense of content to both Molly and her people.

For more fun dog photos, dog training tips and tricks and dog news follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/GoTrainYourDog