People always ask me if I can give them a tip on training. The single most important tip I can give is this. You absolutely CAN NOT reward unwanted behavior.  This is the root of many dogs disobedience. There’s only two reasons your dog doesn’t listen to you, he doesn’t respect you, or he doesn’t understand you. As in all of our relationships, communication is the key. We have to communicate with our dogs in a way they can better understand.  Dogs communicate primarily by body language and energy!  As I like to tell my clients, “it’s not what you say, it’s what you do!”

 

It’s important to understand exactly what reward is!  Reward is praise, and of course giving a treat. However, where most people make the mistake is they don’t realize that eye contact with your dog is affection = REWARD.  The sound of your voice is the same. If your dog isn’t listening, you need to be talking less and doing more!  When they don’t listen, it’s not their fault, it’s yours!  You are doing something wrong!  A dogs mission in life is to please us!  That’s what they want more than anything. 

 

So when your dog displays an unwanted behavior, we must disengage!  No look, no talk, no touch.  So ask yourself, “when my dog isn’t listening, am I still engaged?  Am I holding eye contact, or talking to much!”  I bet you are!!

 

Please post any training questions here and I’ll be glad to answer them!  

 

Remember, training your dog is a monumentally bonding experience. It should be fun for you and for your dog!  So right now go and do a quick training burst!  That’s less than five minutes practicing the most important commands, SIT,STAY, COME, and STOP!