Dog Training - Reward Your Dog For Good Behavior
Owning a dog is a big responsibility. The dog should become part of the family, this means he or she will need to be taught the rules of the household just as you would teach your child.
Many dog owners make the mistake of not correcting a behavior that is unacceptable immediately, especially with puppies. All too often dog owners will allow their puppy to jump up on them when they walk in the door and praise them for this action. However, in a few months this little puppy will grow and the jumping will no longer be an action that is acceptable.
Basically, you are teaching our dog that greeting you at the door and jumping is an acceptable behavior. So, when you reprimand him for doing this a few months or years down the road he is confused. Also, it is important that you not only begin your training of a dog as soon as you bring him into your family but you also need to be consistent with the training.
The best way for you to get the most out of your relationship with your dog is to correct the behaviors that are going to be unacceptable when he is an adult. For example, growling and showing signs of aggression needs to be stopped before your dog decides he runs the household.
Train a dog is not as complicated as you might be led to believe. Anyone can train a dog to behave acceptably. It is important that you reinforce the positive behaviors your dog does. When you are teaching your dog of a behavior that is acceptable you need to change his mind frame. Basically, if your dog jumps up on guests you will need to find a way for him to listen to you and not try to knock your guests over and lick them to death!
Here is a suggestion for modifying this behavior. Put your dog on a leash and have a friend come over to visit. When your friend knocks on the door tell your dog to sit. When the guest walks in the door ask him or her to not acknowledge the dog. If the dog jumps up, gently tug the leash and tell your dog a one word command, such as "down." Use the same command every time.
Even if you have to tug the leash to get the dog down, once he sits again give him a treat or praise him for returning to the acceptable area. Again have your guest knock at the door. Repeat this until your dog understands that he is not allowed to jump up. Once he seems to be getting the hint you can take the leash off and try it again. Be sure you are praising your dog and or using treats. He will associate the affections and treats with leaving the guest alone and be more interested in his reward for being a good boy that greeting the guest.
Rewarding your dog for the behaviors that are acceptable will teach him to only behave acceptable. You can use treats, belly rubs or any method that will work for him. The way to gain the respect of our dog is going to be by teaching him you are the dominant one and the one to be obeyed at all times. In essence, you are The Top Dog!
Bad behavior should be corrected immediately. However, do not hold a grudge against your dog for acting a way that he did not know was unacceptable. Correct the bad behavior and again praise and or reward him for the good behavior. It is really simple, actually. For the most part it is going to take time, consistency and patience for you to train your dog.