Dog Training Articles
Do you know someone with a 'civilized' dog? A dog that's pleasant to be around, is not pushy or obnoxious? Did you ever wonder how the civilized dog you know became that way? Here are a few tips on training your dog to be civilized. If you need help training your dog, contact us. Our training center in Baraboo, Wisconsin, is within convenient driving distance of Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton, Reedsburg, Portage and other central Wisconsin cities and towns. We offer a variety of training classes, consultations and other services that can help you raise a dog who will be welcome anywhere!
Golden Nuggets for a Well-Trained and Civilized Dog
Exercise
This is the most crucial aspect to having a 'civilized' dog. Depending on your dog's breed type, the exercise requirements could be significant. For instance, sporting breeds (Labradors, spaniels, etc.) all demand HIGH levels of exercise. Lap dogs (Bichons, Shih Tzus, etc.) will require less typically. A dog does NOT get enough exercise wandering around a back yard no matter how big it is. Walking the dog, playing fetch games, running with other dogs, etc., provide good exercise for the body. Exercise for the body though is just half of the story. We must exercise the mind also. This is where obedience work comes in. Remember, an exercised dog in mind and body becomes a tired dog. A tired dog learns well and is able to 'settle down' and develop self-control and self-restraint. Exercise is the #1 missing link to dogs with behavior problems usually. It requires a commitment on your part to get out there after work when it is cold, slippery and dark but the pay-off is well worth it!
Training your dog
When you wish to train a dog to perform a task, be it a sit or down or whatever, you must visualize the goal in your mind and then plan a thousand and one steps (baby steps) to reach that goal. If the dog learns quickly and accomplishes a hundred steps in a dog training session, that is great, but don't expect this. If it does not, that is OK too! The golden nugget in training a dog is this: THE SLOWER YOU GO THE FASTER YOU WILL GET THERE.
Training your dog: part 2
No one dog training tool or technique fits every dog. We always need to look at what motivates the INDIVIDUAL dog and use those things to build success. Professional dog trainers refer to this idea as having 'many tools in the toolbox.' It is important that you remember that if what you are doing is not working…STOP! Re-think the situation calmly and try something new. The definition of insanity is to continue to do something that is not working.
Calmness, Quiet time, Relaxing & Chilling Out
Speaking of calmly, you must remember that excitement in your dog is USUALLY not your friend. Excitement and arousal must be carefully utilized in dog training at very specific parts. Generally speaking, you want to be calm and assertive and expect the dog to be calm and submissive. Always remember to introduce anything new or even new variations to learned skills in a NON DISTRACTING and QUIET environment. It is only after the dog understands the dog training exercise that we begin to bring in distractions.
Your dog must learn to accept restraint. It must also learn to settle and be quiet. We often over-stimulate our dogs by excited greetings and when leaving them (laying a foundation for separation anxieties to come on), by speaking loudly and constantly to them and by over-touching them. Balance is the key to developing a long-lasting and harmonious relationship with your dog.
