| Let me begin with a personal experience that will | | | | involves spending some time on the internet or |
| illustrate the importance of getting your dog | | | | reading books to find out which method of |
| training right. A few years ago I had some friends | | | | obedience training is going to be right for you and |
| who had a rottweiler. My daughter would go | | | | the type of dog you would like to own. |
| around to their house to play with their daughter | | | | It may seem like a big investment of your time |
| sometimes. One day while I was there with my | | | | but it will certainly pay dividends in the quality of |
| daughter, I noticed that the dog was allowed to | | | | the relationship you will have with your pet,. The |
| be in the house all of the time. That was ok I | | | | kind of dog training that you decide on should |
| thought until we were all sitting down to enjoy a | | | | depend on not only the breed of dog you choose, |
| cup of coffee. For no apparent reason the dog | | | | but also the age and background of the animal. |
| took exception to my daughter taking a biscuit | | | | Different breeds can sometimes require different |
| from a plate on the coffee table and began to | | | | training methods and rescued dogs are an |
| growl at her. I must admit I felt very concerned | | | | unknown quantity altogether. |
| about the behaviour of the dog. It was apparent | | | | Many people want to help a rescue dog and that |
| that this dog had decided that it could make the | | | | is a very kind thing to do when you realize how |
| rules regarding the family's food. Not only that but | | | | many dogs there are waiting for a good home. In |
| because it was such a big dog, I realised that it | | | | this situation, it can be really helpful to know some |
| could potentially do a huge amount of damage to | | | | of the background of the dog you choose. |
| a child - or anyone for that matter. | | | | As an example, imagine you take home a dog |
| On another occasion I happened to be at this | | | | that has had a history of abuse. It may be either |
| friend's house and she was having a lie down on | | | | aggressive or scared. It may even resist being |
| the bed. The dog was also laying on the bed as it | | | | touched. How would you deal with a dog like this? |
| usually did. My friend's husband came into the | | | | How would you know what dog training method |
| room at this moment and suddenly the dog was | | | | to use? |
| up on it's feet, still on the bed, growling and | | | | Well you wouldn't want to launch into a strict |
| snarling. | | | | regime of obedience training straight away. The |
| Here was a dog who was totally in control, a dog | | | | first thing you would have to do is to establish |
| who had been allowed to assume the role of pack | | | | trust between you and the dog. How would you |
| leader and here was a family that didn't know | | | | go about this? |
| how to deal with a situation that they had | | | | Trying to rush things isn't the way to go. |
| inadvertently created. | | | | Gradually encourage the dog to approach you for |
| The reason for this true story is to illustrate how | | | | physcal contact. Begin slowly by placing a treat on |
| we can create a situation where a dog becomes | | | | the floor a short distance from the dog and then |
| a threat to people and possibly other dogs simply | | | | step away from it. When the dog takes the |
| because effective dog training had not taken | | | | treat, give lots of verbal praise. This will |
| place. | | | | demonstrate to the dog that you are not a |
| How could this situation have been avoided? | | | | threat to it. Continue with this and eventually the |
| First and foremost if we are thinking of getting a | | | | trust will be established and you will find that the |
| dog as a family pet, we must do the research | | | | dog can approach you without fear or aggression. |
| first before we go out and buy one. It is all too | | | | Patience and love are paramount here because |
| easy to go into a petshop or whatever and be | | | | the dog has possibly never experienced kindness |
| ruled by our emotions. You see a fluffy bundle of | | | | before. It will take time and the patience that you |
| fur and you just have to take it home. Or you go | | | | will need to demonstrate is second only to that of |
| to an animal rescue centre and the plight of some | | | | bringing up a child. |
| poor abandoned pooch pulls so hard at your heart | | | | Of course there are many more things to |
| strings that you find yourself agreeing to look | | | | consider if you are thinking about adopting a |
| after it and give it a good home. | | | | rescue dog and again it is the course of wisdom |
| For the sake of the dog and your family you | | | | to check out what is available in the way of dog |
| need to be fully aware that training a dog is one | | | | training programs. |
| of the most important things you can do. Correct | | | | Whether it is a rescue dog, a puppy, or a |
| obedience training for the dog is essential for the | | | | pedigree animal, I would recommend that you do |
| harmony of the entire household. | | | | spend some time looking at various ways that |
| In order to be competent in training a dog you | | | | you can train your pet before you bring him or |
| first have to have some knowledge about the | | | | her home. |
| types of training techniques that are available. This | | | | |