I don’t generally emphasize teaching your dog what not to do. “Leave it” is an important exception.
About Dog Momma
Author Archive | Dog Momma
Kids and Dogs
Kids and dogs are a great match. They are closer in height than adults. Their brains are more similar. They generally both have time and energy to play!
Teach a Place
Have you ever gone into a store and admired the sweet dog hanging out on her bed? Guess what her person taught her? Targeting a place, first of all, and then “down” and “stay.” Once your dog can stay on her rug or in her crate, life is more fun for both of you, because […]
Targeting: An Essential Building Block for Many Skills
A fundamental skill your dog needs is targeting, or focusing on a particular object. Once you teach a target, you can ask the dog to follow it, pick it up, sit on it, and many other things. Targeting is thus a building block for many different skills and tricks you can teach.
Socialize Your Dog
The best thing you can do for your dog—starting as young as possible—is to socialize her to a wide variety of experiences. The goal is to teach your dog to be comfortable in all the potentially stressful situations she might encounter.
Stop Bad Behavior
There’s one good way to stop your dog from doing things you don’t want him to do: Give him something better to do instead, and reward him for doing it, as explained in our page on Teach Yes, Not No.
Training Your Dog, Kindergarten to College
No matter what you’re trying to train your dog to do (or not do), the key to success is to start slowly and work gradually. It’s like grades in school.
Use Consistent Commands
Actually, Dog Momma prefers to say “cues” instead of “commands.” A command is harsh, an imposition of your will on the dog. A cue is assertive without being aggressive; it tells the dog what behavior is going to work for both of you in the current situation.
Appropriate Barking
The first step to controlling your dog’s barking is to understand what the dog is trying to communicate.
Read (and Use) Your Dog’s Signals
Imagine how you’d feel if you moved to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language and they don’t speak yours. How would you communicate?
Clicker = Training Magic
The clicker is a wonderful training tool! It gives you a clear way to tell your dog “yes” in the moment she is doing something good. You “mark” the desired behavior by clicking at the exact moment the dog does what you want her to do—or, in the early stages, comes close to doing it. Dogs are very good at remembering what action brought the click—and therefore the treat.
Give Good Rewards
In order to do any training at all, you have to find a reward that is meaningful to your dog.
Teach Yes, Not No
Always look for the “yes” in every situation. In other words, what IS acceptable right now? Don’t get into the routine of saying “no” all the time; this will be no fun for you or your dog. Positive reinforcement is a phrase we’ve all heard; this article breaks the concept down into a few good examples.
Premier Pet Treat Pouch
Are you training your dog? GOOD! You will love this treat pouch. Or you could buy it as a gift for your favorite dog-training friend or relative. They will love that you took the care to get them something really useful.
Control Yourself, Control Your Dog
Often times when dogs feel uneasy, there is an uneasy human around. Focus on good energy for yourself, and the dogs will follow.
Be the Pack Leader
When it comes to dogs, you’ve probably heard “be the boss” or “the alpha” or even the “pack leader”. Read here to understand more about what it all means. It’s part “power” but also a lot of listening, communicating and teaching.
Fenced-In Yard
Do you need a fenced-in yard for your dog? And if so, what type? This article explores the benefits of a fenced-in yard, and ways to compensate if you don’t have one.
Dog Parks
Dog parks can be great places for socialization. On the other hand, they can be too chaotic for dogs who like things quiet. The best way to find out if your dog enjoys a dog park is to try! Follow these guidelines and enjoy the adventure.
Exercising Your Dog’s Senses
Exercise comes in many forms, and dogs experience exercise in many ways. This article helps you consider different types of exercise that will keep your dog well-rounded and happy.
