Free Dog Training Tips And Videos

A Canine That Behaves

There’s no ‘magic’ or luck behind creating the perfect dog. It is done through creating a balance of trust and respect between you and your dog. With total trust and respect, you needn’t worry about the “what if”s, such as “what if my dog bites?” “what if my dog runs off?” and so on. These what ifs are based on a lack of mutual trust, which is created between human and dog when the human knows how.

Main aspects involved in developing respect and trust: The dog walk - one of the biggest factors in deciding if your relationship with your dog is as healthy as it could be, trust and respect both ways is earned on the walk.

Leading the walk involves setting the arrangement of the followers. The followers seek the leaders support when deciding which position to be in, in front, next to, or behind. An easy method involves putting a leash on your dog, and shortening it to allow your dog to stay next to or behind you, not pulling. This means you are playing the role of the leader by setting the position. There should be no stress on the leash, especially from your side. Once you start to lead the walk your dog will get the point and will give you respect.

Tension on the lead only happens when something is not being done right. One factor may be that you are not giving out enough leadership and confidence to allow your dog to feel secure. Maybe your arm is not totally relaxed, which it must be to allow your dog to relax! Give your dog the trust she deserves, that she will not misbehave, and she will return the favour, so long as you also have respect.

To dogs, love means work before reward. Consistent and maintained rules such as leaving time for the walk, when to get out of bed, are all rules that you as the leader should set, this way your dog earns love in a more natural way, by following you first. Setting limits and rules enable your dog to see that you are serious in keeping her healthy and happy, not just spoiling by giving love, love and more love. Dogs need more than just love! They are different to us like this; we should take the time to understand this.

Some of this information was gathered from the site of dog behaviorist George Manning.

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