| Thousands of dogs end up in shelters every year. | | | | crossing the street as you say "Sit," don't expect it |
| The main reason for this is owner lack of | | | | to happen. YOU have to get the dog's attention first. |
| commitment. Puppy owners will try dog obedience | | | | This is an issue with a puppy with an attention span |
| classes and not follow through with reinforcement | | | | of a microsecond, but think about it - puppies can |
| training at home. The puppy grows quickly into an | | | | focus - how long did he focus on the squirrel? You |
| unmanageable dog. | | | | need to make yourself the center of his attention. |
| If you have a puppy or recently got a dog, | | | | Lack of Patience |
| understand that consistent, continuous obedience | | | | This is THE biggie, especially when you have a puppy. |
| training is necessary to co-exist peacefully with your | | | | They whine, wiggle, jump, chew, bite, pull on the |
| dog. Without it, life with your dog may be chaotic. | | | | leash, and are generally puppylike. But even a young |
| Consider dog obedience training a course you need | | | | pup can learn to sit fairly easily. And you can move |
| to be enrolled in all the time. At first, you'll be going | | | | on from there, step by step. Dog and puppy |
| to classes all the time. The better you get at | | | | obedience training REQUIRES patience. |
| obedience training your dog, the fewer classes you | | | | Inconsistent Application of Commands |
| need to attend. But you can never drop out of the | | | | Training happens every day and is connected with |
| dog obedience training course. And failure means you | | | | everyday activities - it does not always need to be |
| may need to find your dog a new home. Can you | | | | formal. Suppose you have been getting your dog to |
| put up with a dog like Marley from the movie "Marley | | | | sit while you put on his leash or before you put |
| & Me?" | | | | down his food dish. Then you forget for a few days. |
| Here are the reasons why YOU might fail dog | | | | Now the dog's confused - do I need to sit or not? |
| obedience training: | | | | This happens when different family members attend |
| Thinking You Can Train Your Dog Without Help | | | | to the dog's needs. |
| With the exception of professional dog trainers and | | | | No "Connection" with Your Dog |
| expert dog owners, most people need help with | | | | So you come home from work, let the dog outside, |
| obedience training. Questions arise all the time - how | | | | feed him, and then forget he exists. Or you go to |
| often do I need to train? How do I get the dog to | | | | the super pet store to buy dog food and don't bring |
| stop pulling on the leash? How do I get my dog to | | | | the dog. And you have no idea where the nearest |
| come when called? | | | | dog park is located. |
| Find a few knowledgeable resources - the vet office | | | | In other words, your dog's not a family member, just |
| staff, a friend with a dog, dog forums, a Certified | | | | a part of the home landscape. Maybe that's the way |
| Professional Dog Trainer, a dog training DVD, a dog | | | | you treat your other family members? |
| training book, Internet web sites for dog training tips | | | | Parting Words |
| - and get the answers to your questions. | | | | You can learn to train your dog. And you can both |
| Not Getting the Dog's Attention Before Issuing a | | | | live together in peace. Think about the reverse of |
| Command | | | | each of the reasons for failure described above. You |
| If your dog's attention is focused on the squirrel | | | | do love your dog, don't you? |