If you’re reading this, then somehow you know or suspect you have an out of control dog.
Let me list a few behaviors that should tip you off: jumping on guests when they arrive, barking at the doorbell when it rings, jumping on the guests when they’re on the couch and acting like a maniac when you’re walking him.
I would guess you’re probably embarrassed with your ill-mannered dog, especially when you have company. You have not figured out a way to handle your dog when you try to entertain company without crating, kenneling or putting your crazy dog in the backyard.
I truly get it, that you got your dog to enjoy his company; especially with your friends and family. But his being out of control keeps you from fully enjoying him not only in your home but in all the other ways you dreamed – like being very comfortable taking him anywhere you want that allows dogs – trips to the beach, hiking, etc.
And that wonderful walk you wanted the two of you take every day? Once he got used to life with you and got his confidence up he started acting like a maniac on the leash when you would see other dogs.”
What you simply need is a plan. You need a way to organize and set your goals for training your dog. Here’s your roadmap to success.
The Power OF SIX
Observe and learn my Power of Six.
What is this? No it’s not same weird psycho-babble, trust me.
The Power of Six is how you begin to set your goals to get your dog under control. Let’s take a look.
6 Weeks of Training
Know that to get your dog to learn any command and commit it to permanent memory, it must be practiced for 6 weeks before it becomes permanent.
Now I know what you are thinking, anyone can teach a sit in just a few days to a week, right? But your sit command will begin to break down as you add distractions or change locations or both. It’s the proofing or distraction work and weaning off food treats that takes time. This is the one piece most owners and dog trainers miss.
Train 6 Minutes a Day
Obedience train your dog 6 minutes a day…but break it down into 3, 2 minute “rapid fire” training sessions daily (weekends included.) Training this way will prove that it doesn’t take a lot of time to train your dog – just daily consistency. This makes it an achievable goal for you. Who doesn’t have 6 minutes a day for their dog? Watch the bad dog behavior problems disappear!
6 Principles of Control
Teach and implement the following 6 principles of control:
1. Teach an unquestionably great sit. Most people, you included have already taught your dog to sit – he probably just does in on his terms and maybe only if you have a cookie.
2. Teach politeness. Calm is good, noisy is not. If you exude calm energy, your dog will learn to be calm. Require your dog to calmly sit before he gets fed. Teach him to sit calmly to hook him up on leash to walk. Ignore him for 6 minutes when you get home. Then calmly call him to you and get a sit.
3. Teach respect of your personal space. This simply means that your dog should not just get up into your lap or on the couch (your personal space) without being invited. You should require a sit before he gets up. We’re not denying you or him anything – just putting structure to what you are already doing.
4. Exercise your dog’s mind and body. When your dog’s mind and body is tired, he’s less out of control. Make sure he gets walks and training every day to accomplish this. It’s a great way to relieve stress and anxiety.
5. Teach your dog to drop it. Do this by exchanging food treats for something he has and adding the command, “Drop it!” as his cue to release the item/object.
6. Teach your dog that you control his food. Food has intrinsic value to your dog. Eat first, and then feed your dog. Make sure you require a calm sit first. Even with dogs that are finicky eaters, they will recognize who eats first.
6 Different Locations
Teach your dog sit and come at home in a fairly quiet environment. Once he knows the commands, train your dog in 6 different locations for your distraction work. By the time you finish, you should be able to sit your dog and call him to you 6 times around distractions in each of the 6 locations.
Let’s get you and your dog enjoying a better and ideal relationship.
Won’t you get started today?
Thanks for letting me share my dog training knowledge with you. I truly hope you found answers and hope in this simple Power of 6 formula for helping your dog. Don’t be a stranger. I’d love to hear what you think. Please come over to my Facebook page to let me know how this article impacted you and the way you think about dog training. Are you looking at it a little differently? Remember:
“Together, We Can Raise a Happy and Obedient Dog”
Jim Burwell, professional dog trainer for 25+ years, serving 8700+ clients, has a profound understanding of dog behavior and the many things, we as humans, do that influence that behavior – good or bad. Jim has the ability to not only steer dogs and puppies down the right path but to also train the owners to understand their part in having a great dog.
His Ground Rules for Great Dogs is the culmination of these years of training into an easy, step-by-step process so that your dog understands what you expect of him, you empower him to be able to give you the behavior you want and you empower him to be successful at living in a human home.
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