Leadership Tips

Stand tall.  It instantly increases your confidence and makes you look like a leader.

Watch your overall body language.  Your dog is very tuned in to you and takes cues from you all the time. Make sure you are not accidentally “telling” him to do something you don’t mean to through your body language.

Command your dog – don’t ask like it’s optional. (SIT. vs. ssiiiittt???)

Give commands loud and clear without yelling.

Count to 5-10 before repeating a command.  If your dog is staring at you wagging his tail freeze and wait him out and he may just give in (success!).  If you’ve lost his attention calmly repeat the command.

IF you must repeat a command use the same calm, directional tone of voice that you started with – don’t escalate by raising your voice.  No one wants a dog who only listens when they yell!

Praise WHILE your dog is executing the command.  If your dog breaks the desired position stop praising and fix it.

Praise should be mostly verbal.  If physical praise (petting) is too exciting/distracting, rely on calm, verbal praise.

Use good judgement with food rewards.  Exciting rewards should be reserved for more difficult exercises. When teaching new commands start with small treats with the goal of weaning off the treats.  If your dog knows the command, try to use verbal praise only.  The exception to this rule: the recall exercise (use his MOST favorite treat!).

EVERY exercise must have a release command(s), or ending, such as ok, free, all done, etc.  This really wraps up your leadership, as the exercise is not finished until you have given the release command. NEVER praise or reward after you have given the release command – you don’t want to praise your dog for jumping out of position.  After giving the release command stand tall and look away.  Your body language will help make it clear that YOU have ended the exercise.

Practice, practice, practice, but for short periods of time.  If you only have 1 hour to practice each day, you would be better off to practice 60 times throughout the day for 1 minute segments rather than 1 time for 60 minutes.

ALWAYS end on a positive note.  You want your dog’s lasting memory of each exercise to be performing the exercise correctly.

HAVE FUN!!!  Your dog loves you and wants to please you.  If he sees that you are having a good time he will be having a good time which leads to positive and productive training sessions!

Hope this helps!  If not, give me a call!

Yours in good training,

Stacie & Ronan