Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog Self-Control


Is your dog one of those that pulls at his leash constantly whenever there is a distraction? A child walks by, or he sees another dog? If a cat or small animal scoots by, or if a car wooshes in front of him, does he tug to get closer? Is he hard to manage while visiting the vet, or when you have visitors?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then your dog training needs to include self-control measures. A child is taught similar things when they are growing up (don't put your hand on the stove, or you can't have a cookie unless you ask, first), a dog requires the same kind of love and attention, too. Just as you would teach a dog how to sit, speak, come when called or stop, you also need to provide dog training related to self-control.

A few simple guidelines are all that are required for owners to follow. Join me here as I briefly discuss them.

Teach Commands, Not Actions

When your dog lunges at something, instead of pulling tight on their leash to get them to stop, you should instead be telling them what to do in a firm voice. Tugging, even lightly on their leash only tells a dog who the master is, but not what behavior he should be exhibiting. Use this time constructively to practice commands that are appropriate in the situation, instead.

Treat Your Dog like a Friend

Realize that sometimes, your dog just won't be able to do what you ask him to do, just like a good friend can't sometimes as well. Dog training shouldn't be about who is in charge, but instead about compromise and taking variables into account as required. So don't ask your dog to sit still if he is truly excited about something ? ask him instead to sit quietly.

Show Doggy How

Unless you show, or tell, your dog how to react, he won't know how. Instead, he'll do what he always does, which is pull and tug at his leash. Give him positive ways in which to respond to every tempting situation, and with some guidance he'll be able to do what's right.

Speak On His Terms

When you raise your voice or talk sharply, a dog hears this tone as being excited, similar to barking. It reinforces his already excited behavior, and gives him the idea that you are excited too, so it should be okay! Instead, use your dog training to speak softly and in quiet tones to get your dog to calm down, and he'll realize soon enough it's not appropriate behavior for the situation.

(c) 2005 dog-training-info.com. This article may be republished as long as these bylines are included. Kevin Simmons is the webmaster of http://www.dog-training-info.com. Please visit the site for more free dog training articles.







Related News



Heartworm Disease Prevention Protects Pets, Wallets - MarketWatch

Heartworm Disease Prevention Protects Pets, Wallets
MarketWatch -21 hours ago
BATAVIA, Ill., Nov 19, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The American Heartworm Society strongly urges pet owners to continue year-round heartworm prevention ...


A Happy Pet for the Holidays: Natural Remedies to Treat Animals ... - MarketWatch

A Happy Pet for the Holidays: Natural Remedies to Treat Animals ...
MarketWatch -3 hours ago
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass., Nov 20, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Does your pet misbehave when you leave the house? Whether you're entertaining or traveling for ...

Holiday feasts are not for pets - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Holiday feasts are not for pets
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA -19 hours ago
You’ll see our warnings about feeding repeatedly because around this time of year, every year, we see pets brought in with very preventable illnesses caused ...

For the love of pets - The Union of Grass Valley

For the love of pets
The Union of Grass Valley, CA -5 hours ago
One of the themes that speaks of the holiday season is pets: Santa’s reindeer, especially Rudolph; puppies under the tree; catnip presents for the kitten of ...

Pets Feeling the Tough Economy - KWCH

Pets Feeling the Tough Economy
KWCH, KS -13 hours ago
Caring for pets however, is getting tougher. Many Americans simply can't afford the costs. And area vets say they've noticed a change over the past few ...

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GOES TO THE DOGS! - Seattle Post Intelligencer

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GOES TO THE DOGS!
Seattle Post Intelligencer -12 hours ago
It's all to benefit the Seattle Humane Society and there will be professional holiday-themed photos for pets and their owners, several pets available for ...
Pet Food Bank helps four-legged friends in needIssaquah Press
all 2 news articles

Officials offer amnesty for exotic pets Saturday - Daytona Beach News-Journal

Officials offer amnesty for exotic pets Saturday
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL -6 hours ago
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will conduct one of its "pet amnesty days" on Saturday at the Jacksonville Zoo. ...
FWC to hold Pet Amnesty Day at Jacksonville Zoo & GardensChipley Florida Online Newspaper - Foster Folly News
Jacksonville JournalFlorida Times-Union
all 3 news articles

The healing power of pets - San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Chronicle

The healing power of pets
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA -19 hours ago
Over the years, a plethora of data has been collected on the larger role dogs and other pets play in the health of people all over the world. ...

Tales from Paw Print City: Senior living options opt-in pets - Northwest Voice

Tales from Paw Print City: Senior living options opt-in pets
Northwest Voice, CA -13 hours ago
With the increasing integration of pets into the lives of people and ever-mounting evidence for the benefits of having pets in our lives, it makes sense ...

Pampurr-ing pets, and owners - The Spokesman Review

The Spokesman Review

Pampurr-ing pets, and owners
The Spokesman Review, WA -5 hours ago
As an animal lover her entire life, Deeds is like many pet owners who consider their four-legged friends more than just companions – her two dogs and cats ...