| 1. Dogs Use Instinct - NOT Emotion | | | | associate the sound of a word with an action, tone or |
| You have to understand that dogs use instincts | | | | object. This is why a dog will often respond to a word |
| instead of emotion. They do NOT feel the emotions | | | | that rhymes with a command, because the overall |
| that we do even though some dog owners will swear | | | | sound is similar. For the same reason a dog will often |
| their dog has the same thinking ability as them. One | | | | NOT respond to a command that is said in a tone, |
| good example of this is if your dog nudges your hand | | | | accent or volume that is "unfamiliar" to him. |
| so that you will pet his head or scratch him, a human | | | | So when you choose commands for your dog, be |
| will come to the conclusion that his dog is being | | | | sure to use short words that have a very distinctive |
| affectionate but in reality, his dog is displaying dominant | | | | sound to them. Never use the same word for different |
| behavior. Yes, I know, you refuse to believe that, right? | | | | commands. A good example of this is the word |
| Believe it! | | | | "down". If you use "down" to get him off the couch, |
| Please don't treat your dog as if he/she is a human | | | | don't use "down" to make him lay down. Make sure |
| being. This is a mistake. It can lead to more difficult | | | | your tone stays the same, too. |
| problems when you don't understand how Fido's mind | | | | Communication with your dog starts with making him |
| works. Here's a good example: If your dog starts | | | | give you his full attention, so you need to call out his |
| barking at another dog, an owner will sometimes pick | | | | name before blurting out a command. He has to be |
| that dog up so they stop barking. This will only | | | | able to pick out familiar sounds that YOU give him |
| reinforce Fido's behavior because you're giving him | | | | because all day long he hears UNFAMILIAR sounds. |
| attention. It ends up elevating his position as an Alpha | | | | Make your voice the familiar sound for him. That's why |
| dog. Something you definitely don't want. | | | | it's so important to call his name first so he knows you |
| 2. Know How A Dog's Pack Life Works | | | | are speaking to HIM only and your sounds are what |
| Dogs live in packs in the wild and they are highly | | | | he needs to listen to. |
| organized. The dogs are ranked from highest, which is | | | | Don't forget that dogs understand body language. If he |
| the Alpha dog, to the lowest. First access to all | | | | sees anger from you don't expect him to come to you |
| resources goes to the Alpha dog and he/she controls | | | | with his tail wagging. |
| the release to all the lower pack members. You really | | | | Please remember that dogs do not know right and |
| need to understand this because you have to make | | | | wrong, they just know there is some reaction to their |
| your dog understand that YOU are the Alpha dog in | | | | behavior. A good example of this is if your dog chews |
| your home, not him. Your dog needs to feel secure | | | | on any of your furniture, you put him outside for a time |
| that you are the leader. That way he will let you make | | | | out. He then starts to understand that chewing on |
| decisions, therefore your dog will not be aggressive. If | | | | furniture means he gets ignored so he learns to quit |
| you don't make him understand that, he will take it upon | | | | showing that kind of behavior. |
| himself to be the Alpha and then you're in trouble. | | | | Just understand that not everything you and he do will |
| 3. Communicate In A Way They Can Understand | | | | be good communication because sometimes dog's are |
| Remember, dogs do not actually understand English, | | | | just a mystery. But that's one of the reasons we love |
| Spanish or any other language. They simply learn to | | | | them so much! |