Training Your Dog to Listen

Get Your Dog To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as your family's "ALPHA dog." Your dog must know that you're the leader of the pack, and it is YOU who is in charge. Here is a list of simple DO's and DONT's that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha: Always go out or come in through the door first - remember you are the leader; Always eat first - give your dog something to eat After you've finished your meal; Do not walk around your dog when they are lying on the floor; always make your dog move out of your way instead. Don't let your dog set the rules - pay attention to him when you think fit and not whenever he demands; Don't permit your dog to sleep with you in your bed - demarcate his sleeping area clearly. Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your dog and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your dog does not learn to "listen," all your training efforts will be in vain! Does your dog know his name? Does your dog look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in Dog Training. If your dog doesn't respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands. To make sure that your dog recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your dog's name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name until he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once you're sure that your dog has learned to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug. You must understand that Dogs respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.