 |
|
|
|
               |
We
hope you enjoy these Training Tips provided by Larry Drucker. Larry
is a certified trainer and behaviorist. He volunteers his time to work
with our shelter dogs before and after adoptions. He can be reached at: Above all, the most important goal you can achieve in dog training is to establish yourself as your dog’s Pack Leader. When you are the Dominant One, your dog will, by instinct, become submissive to you, the Pack Leader. When you can show an Alpha Dog Attitude, 24/7, you can have a well trained, obedient, contented dog, whose bond with you is the most important part of his life. Review the following behavioral concepts every day. Use them each time you interact with your dog and you can enjoy a very special, life-long relationship as your best friend’s best friend. Behavioral Concepts-By becoming a good pack leader, you will be able to exert maximum control over your dog’s attitude and behavior. The following are some tips to help you achieve this goal: · Be the pack leader 24/7. It’s a full time job. Your dog expects, by instinct, to have a leader all the time. If you are only a part time leader or no leader at all, your dog will sense the void and take the job himself. The result is a dog that does what he wants to do, not what you want him to do. · Showing an Alpha Dog presence is done with attitude. There is no place in dog training for physical or emotional abuse. · The Alpha Dog leads with strength not with affection. Dogs understand and respect strength by instinct. Treats and affection are an acquired taste for dogs and, by nature, have no place in their world. Dogs will always follow strength before affection. · As Cesar Millan, the “Dog Whisperer” tells us, dogs need rules, boundaries, and limitations before we give them treats and affection. However, there is an appropriate time for you and your dog to share affection and treats, and that time is when the dog is being calm and submissive and you are being calm and assertive. At that point you are fulfilling your role as the dominant one and your dog is being submissive. But don’t go overboard. Remember, the more affection or treats you give your dog for no other reason than it makes you feel good, the less those rewards will mean to him. Make him earn it, don’t give it away. |
|
West End Shelter
Office Hours: Thursday-Tuesday 10am-5pm
|