Jun 09 2010
Advanced Obedience
Advanced obedience is to a canine what putting down the toilet seat is to a man - it takes patient training but it is possible. Dog obedience training is among the most rewarding experiences between a dog and his master. You are not just doing your own self a favor; you are giving your pet a more complete and happy life. Well trained dogs are well-adjusted, confident and more intelligent. You can be confident in his behavior even if you leave him alone with strangers.
The most essential thing to remember in attempting to teach your animal is to establish your role as the superior in your relationship. When he ‘gets’ that you are the top dog, so to speak, it is easier to train him the commands you expect him to obey. Confusing the animal in this aspect can be risky; he will be aggressive and try to control you himself. Don’t overcompensate and be excessively harsh to show you’re the boss; be firm, keep your ground and fix this critical trait as soon as you see it rearing its ugly head.
Make your leadership known by using a strong and sure voice. When you say “Sit!” gently push him down in the desired position firmly. You may have to go through several tries with each command, especially in the initial stages. Progression from basic to more advanced obedience training is relatively simpler once your dog understands the patterns you’ve established in your teaching classes.
The positive reinforcement method of training is rewarding your animal with treats or accolades for correctly accomplishing the command. It is themost useful way to train your dog; it’s what he understands. Praise your dog every time he does what you say correctly. Sometimes, this is easy to overlook but make the extra effort not to. Dogs get confused easily and distinguishing good behavior every time will ensure that he will remember what is right.
Inversely, reprimand the animal whenever he makes a mistake. Do it while he is making it and not when it is past so the dog will understand the error of his ways. Scolding him will also emphasize the distinction between what is right from what is bad. For example, if he starts finding the suspicious looking dirt on his path interesting enough to eat, scold him then and there. Then put appropriate food before him to eat. When he starts eating his own food, be profuse in your praise.
To be able to see growth in dog obedience training, keep it short and as often as possible. Be repetitive in what you teach. Don’t restrict teaching your canine during “school time” or set time blocks. Otherwise, he won’t feel like studying during summer vacation, so to speak.
Movie dogs awe you with the level of difficulty of the stunts required of them. However, do remember that they all started with sit. Begin with the basics and progress to the more complicated commands from there. With patience and constancy your dog will advance to more challenging stunts like growl, leave it, fetch and attack. Employ the same principles in how you trained him earlier and you will taste success in the more advanced levels.
Now that you’ve got working knowledge of a professional trainer’s guide to advanced obedience training for dogs, it’s about time to roll up your sleeves, get Fido and commence the training!
