You are walking down the street and the next thing you know, your normally loving dog becomes aggressive towards other dogs and people he sees. It’s enough to make you want to keep him inside all the time!
Exercise is essential for all dogs, and there are ways you can correct your dog's behavior so you can both get out and enjoy the fresh air. Walks don't need to be dreaded, just handled in a careful and consistent manner.
Learn to anticipate your dog's behavior before he acts aggressively. If you see something that will trigger him, divert his attention. Tell him to sit or lie down. This will keep his mind off the trigger until it has passed.
Dogs often become very aggressive when they meet other dogs. If your dog does this, it is important that you not physically react when you see a dog on your route. Your dog can pick up on your body signals and will be much more apt to act up. Stay calm and keep the leash firmly in hand without pulling or tensing.
Some dogs may require a gentle leader harness or muzzle. These should only be used temporarily until your dog learns not to lunge. If you have a dog who is a danger, they can keep others safe. This is the first priority.
If you have tried to curb leash aggression and your dog still misbehaves during walks, it is time to find a good trainer. You need professional help to stop this at once: not only is it disruptive to your own walks, it is dangerous to everyone and every animal you pass on the sidewalk.
Many dogs pull on their leashes, especially when they are first being trained. Stopping this behavior as soon as possible is important. It can lead to more annoyance at the very least. At worst, it can hurt a person, pet, and you. Start early before you have to take more drastic measures.
Teaching your dog to stay can be an immensely useful command, and it will definitely impress other dog owners. As always, use goodies and praise to help you train your dog. You can use SitStayFetch to enhance your results.
If your dog knows the sit or lie commands, he can learn to stay. Begin by commanding him to sit. Then, extend your hand with your palm facing your dog. Using a calm voice, tell him to "Stay."
As soon as your dog obeys, say, "Good." Even if the dog only stays for a brief second, it is a great start. Praising can only help him learn more.
Give the release command – say "Ok," or "Come" - so your dog knows he doesn’t have to lie down any longer. Hand him a treat and lots of praise. Giving rewards is a key element of the process when it comes to things like puppy potty training.
Gradually work on the length of time that your dog sits and stays before you give the release command. Make him work for that treat!
At the same time, make sure you’re not extending your training sessions too long. Five minutes is enough to get great results.
Another way that dogs are like children is that they have short attention spans! If you require him to train for longer than ten minutes, he is likely to become obstinate and disobedient. Also keep in mind that he'll have to have a lot of practice in order to perfect the command. Repeat "Stay" several times and be prepared to reteach him the command a few times.
If you keep working, your dog will be able to stay for longer periods. You'll be impressed when he stays even when you leave the room. Treats will become unnecessary after training, but praise is never obsolete. Let your dog know when he is doing a good job.
Learn more about Crate Training a Puppy.
No comments:
Post a Comment