Solving Problems of Your Dogs
Dogs are smart and can learn quickly-if they are taught properly. Think of your dog as an empty slate. If you want writing to appear there, you are going to have to do it, especially if you want the words to be those that you’ll approve of.
At the same time, that doesn’t mean that everything a dog does wrong reflects a flaw on your part. A dog comes equipped with a whole set of instinctual behaviors. Some of those behaviors are acceptable in human society, but a good many of them aren’t and must be redirected. But let’s back up a bit. Let’s go back to a few weeks after your dog was born. Individual breed characteristics aside, all dogs, wild or domesticated, are looking for two things when they leave the nest: a pack of leather and the rules set down by the leader by which all members of the pack must abide. Because puppies are cuddly and cute, a good many owners fail miserably in supplying these basic needs. Instead, the owner immediately begins to respond to demands of the adorable little puppy. For example, a pup quickly learns he will be allowed into the house if he is barking or whining, whereas he should be taught that he may only enter the house when he is not barking or whining.
A grown dog scratches at the door to come until the wood begins to wear away. In desperation, the owner allows the dog to enter. This dog has learned that the quickest way to gain admittance is to start scratching a hole. Instead of allowing this unwanted “let me in” behavior to become established in the first place, you must develop a procedure that the dog understands. Before letting him in or out, teach him he must first sit quietly. Then and only then you will open the door. Use this procedure the first time the two of you go out, and you will be amazed at how rapidly your dog learns that sitting quietly at the door gets him just what he wants. In situations of this kind, it is important to make sure the dog learns that the desired behavior has earned him what he wants. Once your dog has accomplished the positive behavior, praise him and then allow him to enter.
As mentioned, the key to successful training lies in establishing the proper relationship between dog and owner. The owner of the owning family must be the pack leader, and the individual or family must provide the rules by which the dog abides without expectations.
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