Basic Manners

Good dogs are fun to be around.  A dog that’s well-behaved and always under control will get to go out into the world and meet lots of people.  They’ll be happier and you’ll be happier.

Polite greetings take practice.  It’s a good idea to train your dog to automatically sit when you meet another person, especially if they’re with another dog.

Dogs love food and so it’s a great idea to have them do a little obedience training to earn their dinner.  It’s also a great time for handling exercises.

Training a dog to  enjoy their crate is an easy way to get them to settle down for extended periods.  Make sure you introduce the crate with lots of treats and some chewtoys to keep them busy.

Punishment is a necessary part of a complete training program.  However, punishment does not need to be painful or scary.  If you’re mean to your dog they’ll become anti-social and difficult to train.

A dog that’s sitting can’t jump up.  Ask your dog to sit before letting them out, so you  at least begin the exercise in control.

Dogs jump up to say hi and express affection.  It would be cruel to respond to their affection with painful corrections.  It’s far easier to train your dog to do something else when they meet people.  Something that they can’t do while jumping up.  But what could that something be…?

Socialization is a life long process.  If  your dog doesn’t have regular interactions with new people and dogs, they will slowly become anti-social to strangers.

When you practice recalls, be sure to reward them when you grab their collar, and have them sit before you release them.