Dog Obedience Training - Is Your Dog Training You? by Mike Peredo

A few simple things to remember in dog obedience training:

1. Be consistent. It will make your dog training task easier and more effective
2. Correct your dog immediately
3. Use physical touch to help your dog understand what is being asked
4. Reward the desired behaviour, every time
5. Get your family involved
6. Set aside a regular training time and make it fun

The most critical and difficult task in dog training is being consistent. Always ask for and expect the desired behaviour from your dog. If your dog isn't given clear commands every time he misbehaves, it will seem to him that the behaviour is acceptable, at least some of the time. Training your dog to obey requires self-discipline and determination.

If you are not consistent, your dog will end up training you! This might sound ridiculous but consider this: dogs are genetically conditioned to respond to a hierarchy. In the wild, in any pack of dogs, there is only one alpha dog. In your home, your family is your dog's pack. You don't want your dog to consider himself the dominant pack member. If he does he will never obey you or behave in a predictable manner.

As an example, let's say that Stanley has a dog named Poochy. Poochy likes to sleep on the couch. Sometimes, Stanley tolerates it and at other times he scolds Poochy and moves him to his dog bed. The result of this effort? Poochy has no idea what is expected of him. The rest of the family probably isn't sure either, and will not see Poochy on the couch as something that requires their immediate action.

Stanley explains to his family what Poochy must learn (no lying on the couch). Every family member promises to react in the same way; they will tell Poochy "no" as soon as they see him on the couch, they will move him to his dog bed and they will reward him with affection when this action is completed. Poochy will not only get the message that the couch is bad, but will also understand that the dog bed is good.

Did you notice that they reacted as soon as they saw Poochy indulging in the undesirable behaviour? Sometimes it might seem easier to ignore the behaviour if you're in the middle of something and go back to correct the dog later. Your dog will know that you didn't follow up right away. With a short attention span (after all, who knows if time runs fast or slow for a dog?) dealing with it later is as bad as not dealing with it at all.

They also physically led Poochy to his dog bed. By helping your dog perform the required behavior, the dog training process can go faster. If you are trying to get him to sit and he isn't cooperating you can help him along by gently pushing down his behind.

The reward of affection followed every time Poochy returned to his dog bed. Be consistent in positive reinforcement. If your dog does something desirable, always reward it. Use affection, a reassuring voice and a doggie treat (if you have one handy). By using all three rewards together, your dog learns that any of the three can be a reward.

Let's say Poochy slumped down on a priceless rug instead of going all the way to his dog bed. What should Stanley and his family do? They don't want Poochy on the rug either, but at least he's off the couch. It's this simple; if Poochy doesn't complete the desired action, he doesn't get the reward. Eventually, he will learn to associate the reward with the action. A partial reward for 'trying' will only confuse the dog and lengthen the time required to learn the desired behavior.

Regular training sessions are another way to be consistent. Set aside at least 20-30 minutes each day for dog training and make sure to follow through on it. This will be beneficial for both you and your dog. Try to make the training fun and you will both be looking forward to your daily training sessions. Don't overdo it though. Like small children, dogs have a short attention span and going for too long will just tire him out.

By being completely consistent in your dog training efforts it is possible to for your dog to change his behavior in a few days instead of months. Consistency is the sign of a leader. By behaving consistently, your dog will be able to look up at you with respect and feel secure in knowing what you expect of him.

I've just explained how being clear and consistent in your dog obedience training makes it easier for you to get results from your training efforts. In short: enlist your family's participation, physically guide your dog, reward him with affection for completed actions, train regularly, act immediately, and be consistent.

Mike Peredo is lives in Canada and is especially fond of corgis.

For more great articles and resources on dog obedience training visit http://www.dog-training.co.nr