Dog Training Tips

clipped from www.sfspca.org

Jean Donaldson's Top 10 Dog Training Tips

Expect your dog to act like a dog. Don't take it personally when he exhibits typical canine behavior. He's not being "bad," he's just being a dog.

No more free lunch. "Dogs are happiest when they're exercising their predator skills," she says. "Make them work for their food, like stuffing it inside chew toys, hiding it around the house, or teaching them tricks for food rewards."

Start off "tight" and slack off later, rather than letting him run wild for the first few weeks and then clamping down when the behavior isn't so cute anymore.

Don't wait for him to develop bad habits, like chewing the furniture or urinating on the carpet, before you intervene. Assume this behavior is likely to happen, and act preemptively to manage it before it develops.

Supply your dog with acceptable outlets for his doggy behavior, rather than punishing it.