"When Training's Over"

When you have finished practicing a command, want to end a "trial", or think that your dog has done the good behavior long enough, give them a release word or short phrase.  Such as "okay", "you're done", or "let's go". The words should be said in an exuberant way and in an upbeat tone of voice, and they should be fun. They should truly be used to indicate that your expectations of them (what they are doing, their behavior) have changed. The release provides an opportunity for free time, for play, or for them to be on his own best behavior, until you say his name again, which precedes your next instruction ("Duke, come!").

If you would like your pet to learn more commands and to behave quietly on a leash (who wouldn't), you may begin formal obedience training when they are between 6 and 9 months old. This will strengthen the leader-follow-bond and complement what you're doing at home to mold or shape your pet's behavior.

After your pet has mastered the basic commands, you are not out of the woods yet, unless your pet is quite unusual. That's because all pets occasionally use bad manners or develop annoying habits.  Others go directly to major behavior problems!

Corrections for any undesirable behavior should be aimed at stopping the activity while it is in progress.  Better yet, an instant before they are about to misbehave, draw your pet's attention to you and try to elicit an alternative, desirable behavior.  Praising the dog for doing something else will teach them the house rules in a humane way.

Remember that most successful person-pet relationships result from mutual respect among all parties, be they human, canine, or feline.  Getting to know and understand your dog by paying attention to their needs so that she can "give" back to you will help build a healthy social-emotional bond.  Dogs reared in this way are less likely to be turned in to animal-control facilities or left out to roam throughout the day.

If physical or behavior problems develop, owners should respond to their pet as a family member and not treat them like an object.  Deciding to tie up the dog in the backyard is one way to deal with an unpleasant problem, whatever it may be, but this practice also marks your decision to abandon a friend and to begin to possess "living property". Don't do it!!!!

Hope your training is going well and is helping you and your pet have a happy and healthy relationship.

Susan
KCPS