HOW TO GIVE YOUR DOG THE BEST SHOT

Giving Your Dog the Best Shot:

Your dog is a dog. 

-Recognize that almost every issue we have with pet dogs comes from sharing resources with them, so share mindfully and consider having your dog earn these things. At any sign of a behavioral issue, these sharing privileges should be revoked until the behaviors are in check. 

-Give your dog the gift of leadership. YOU are in charge. Your dog CRAVES leadership. Caving to what they want is not helpful and can create anxiety. They want to be led. 

-At least for a period of time, adopt the nothing in life is free policy. Ditch your dog's food bowl and put that food in your pockets and use food for obedience training and recalls. When all good things come through you, you will have much more influence over your dog's behavior. 

-Train your dog and practice the behaviors on a regular basis- long down stays, waiting at thresholds, loading into a crate, leaving food until given a release command. Patience is key here. Slowly increase the amount of time you are asking for these behaviors, start with just a few seconds and add more time as you go. Start with the distractions low also, in a place like your kitchen or living room and slowly work up to more distracting environments like outdoors and eventually with other people and dogs around. 

-Be willing to play the role of tough love coach. Even if it is unpleasant for you to correct your dog for dangerous behaviors, recognize that it may be the most caring thing you can do for them. 

-Teach your dog to be happy in a kennel run and a crate, some social isolation is healthy. 

-Don't project your own emotional burdens on to your dog.

-Ditch the backstory on your dog. Whether your dog was found in a basement on a dog fighting bust, was abused by a former owner or otherwise, the backstory needs to go. Dogs live in the moment, and we should also. The dogs that come with histories should be treated like any other dog, or you are doing them a disservice. Guilt and sympathy do not make for a good place to start when it comes to leading your dog. 

-Enforce rules and don't put up with nonsense. 

-Get your dog away from you for a period of time, send them to stay with someone you trust for a week or enroll them in a short board and train program. 

-Break up patterns to keep your dog guessing.

-Walk your dog on a leash regularly. Structured walks in which your dog is following you, not the other way around. 

-Remember a healthy relationship with your dog is the most important piece of living together happily. A healthy relationship is not a codependent one, it is one in which you are both strong without each other, but work well as a team. 

Use a trainer to help you when you need it, a one hour lesson is a very affordable way to get help when you do. Give Adrienne a call at 845-235-4963 for more information or to schedule a lesson today.