Obedience Dog Training:
A lifetime gift for your dog
By Jan Hoadley

Dogs have a long history with humans. For effective obedience dog training the dog needs to learn to adapt to our world.  Dogs are incredibly intelligent but the level of functioning is near that of a two year old child, with some key differences - the canine nose is infinitely more sensitive, the canine mind functions as a dog, not as human. One of the things we love about dogs is their incredible ability to live in the moment. For effective obedience dog training we need to remember this.

In the natural world dogs would live in small groups, with a tight and distinct social structure within the pack. Obedience dog training means insuring that you are the leader, the *boss* without dispute. An article on dog behavior appears on another page and is worth keeping in mind as you train your dog! While training aids such as leashes, collars, muzzles and other things can help they won't overcome attitude. Enforcing dominance in no way means hurting the dog. It does mean boundaries, discipline, praise and affection.

Never underestimate obedience training for young puppies...it makes for sane, wonderful obedient adult dogs! When correcting make your voice "mean" - a sharp growl. This combined with a submission pin or putting your hand over the nose and giving a firm shake is what a mother dog does to the puppy or adult dogs communicate between a higher ranking pack member and a lower one.

Because of the relatively short attention span keep training sessions short. For puppies this means incorporating obedience dog training into play from as early as four weeks. Examples of puppy obedience training might be "Puppy COME!" - say it with a smile and energy...as puppies naturally love to play they'll often come bounding to you for a play session. Give a small treat or piece of kibble and praise him heavily...starting early creates an adult dog that loves to please. Gradually cut the treats down so sometimes he gets it sometimes not, but he won't know unless he responds. Remember to never call your puppy or adult dog to you and then punish him.

For older dogs two half hour sessions can often generate more progress than a single one hour lesson. Keep it age appropriate - adult dog training can be more rigorous but every interaction teaches. You can teach good things or bad things but you're teaching.  For older dog training let them have a short play session before beginning work.