Training A Dog For Beginners – Establishing The Foundation To Successful Dog Training Techniques

Being a dog owner for over 30 years has taught me a thing or two about patience when training a dog successfully. I definitely learned the hard way. Nowadays we have great resources such as: Cesar Milan (Dog Whisperer), the internet and so on. But still many people struggle everyday with their dogs and their dog training awareness.

 Half of the journey is learning a great deal about yourself as well. For instance, how reaction driven peoples’ minds really are. When dealing with successful dog training techniques, keeping your emotions – like excessive yelling in check plays a big role.

 

Common Dog Owner Problems

 

 From my experience when dealing with one dog, the most common problem among dog owners is treating the dog like s/he is the Alpha. I see this more in the little breeds. Why? Most common response is: “because s/he is my little baby”. Or, “how can I say no to that face”? Hey I understand! I love my dogs too, but a dog has to be a dog, not a human.

 When dealing with more than one dog, the most common problem is the dog owner becomes the doggie doormat. Being assertive is another keystone in a healthy relationship with your dog(s). This and remaining cool as a cucumber (calm) are the two ingredients to a solid dog relationship foundation.

 

Let’s Take Walking a Dog (for example)

 

Dogs feel emotions. Become frustrated when say – walking a dog can be easily picked up on by your four legged friends. This in turn, could be feeding a dog’s reaction to emotions such as: excessive barking, aggression, or fear. Being calm and assertive is a keystone to success. Let me repeat that – Being calm and assertive is a keystone to success. If you not calm and assertive your dog won’t be either.

 An example of this would be not letting your dog walk you, or dictate who you can or cannot walk by without them barking like mad. When one becomes calm yet assertive, this shows the dog(s) that, you’re the pack leader, not them. In the animal kingdom this is the structure. Some people treat their dogs like children, not dogs. I’m sorry to say, but most behavior problems stem from this example folks.

 If you find yourself in a situation where your dog is barking like crazy at another dog while going for a walk, becoming calm, decisive and firm (without yelling) will easily defuse the situation. Of course, it takes practice, but if your energy is honed correctly it could happen over night. When it comes to dogs, changing habits can come instantly. It is the human that drags the correction process out.