Training a Dog To Have Good Manners

A dog that is well trained and knows its place in the family is every dog owner’s goal but this isn’t always the case. Some dogs show aggression around people they don’t know or around animals but some will just jump on anyone nearby. Albeit those inclinations might be appropriate sometimes, most owners would prefer their dog was sociable with everyone they meet.

Do we absolutely have to train our dogs? I think it is and most dog owners have the same opinion. It goes without saying that a good-mannered dog is what you want, but a lot of owners feel strapped for time to do the training and the money to hire it out. Other people may not want the inconvenience of training, even if they pass the project on to a professional. The consequence, in some cases, is a dog that is unmanageable that may disturb family members or outsiders. For everyone’s safety, including your dog, training is the best course of action.

dog trainingInexpensive dog training equipment you purchase yourself can make training your dog a little easier.

Lunging ahead on its leash is one way a dog signals that he is in charge and you need to obey it. These kinds of dogs will do anything they want while out walking: chase birds, chase other dogs or cats, and will basically pay little attention to their owner. Owners of these types of dogs get pulled and dragged while the dog wanders in any direction it pleases.

Today you can find walking harnesses, which will help because they are uncomfortable when a dog pulls on them. Without choking the dog, the harness puts pressure on the dog’s armpits when it pulls on its lead. The minute the dog quits pulling, the pressure ceases. The upside is that a dog will want to stay very close to its owner. The dog-walking experience immediately becomes more pleasant and the best part is these leashes require very little skill from the owner.

Rewarding the dog for appropriate behavior is done simply by giving it extra attention. But what can you do to help curtail a dog’s bad behavior?

What makes curbing bad behavior tough is the inability to communicate with your dog when it is misbehaving. Most owners say “No!” when their dog is caught in the act and it can work for some situations.

When a dog misbehaves, say an emphatic “No!” as you hurl the disc to the ground. The disturbance of the discs clanking together will surprise your dog and at the same time the discs bang around on the ground, getting your dog’s undivided attention. As time goes by, the dog will associate the discs and the word “No!” Before you know it, your dog will respond to a simple “No!” the same way it would if the discs had accompanied it.