Training tip of the day....in hopes for movie passes

I have had a great deal of experience training dogs whether it be through agility trials, raising service dogs for Leader Dogs for the Blind and Hawaii Fido, having my own CGC cert. and active therapy dog, or teaching puppy socialization classes. My best and number one training tip that I can give to new dog owners is to be consistent throughout the entire family in training. If one person is going to make the dog sit and wait before feeding them, then everyone needs to. If another member is going to insist that the dog stay off the furniture than the rule applies for all...etc.

Imagine yourself being in a foreign country and everyone speaks another language and has different unique customs that you aren't familiar with; wouldn't it be easier for you to learn and accilmate into their culture if in every situation the same action got you the same reaction. This is how it is for a dog. If one day it is okay to bark at the neighbor's friend cause you feel he looks scary and you praise him. Then the next day you scold him because it is the neighbor's little daughter and you don't want him frightening her; this is confusing. To the dog they are both intruders and he is doing what you asked him to just the day before.

All I can say is that being consistent is the key to success with training of any kind. Not only will being consistent lead to a faster training time it will also lead to a more trusting relationship for your dog as he will always know what to expect from you, his pack leader.

Thank you and I hope this helps anyone struggling with the behavior of their four-legged friends!

Kailey Dubey