Dog Obedience - 3 Tips to Understanding Your Dog's Mind During Training

1. Dogs Use Instinct - NOT Emotion

You have to understand that dogs use instincts instead of emotion. They do NOT feel the emotions that we do even though some dog owners will swear their dog has the same thinking ability as them. One good example of this is if your dog nudges your hand so that you will pet his head or scratch him, a human will come to the conclusion that his dog is being affectionate but in reality, his dog is displaying dominant behavior. Yes, I know, you refuse to believe that, right? Believe it!

Please don't treat your dog as if he/she is a human being. This is a mistake. It can lead to more difficult problems when you don't understand how Fido's mind works. Here's a good example: If your dog starts barking at another dog, an owner will sometimes pick that dog up so they stop barking. This will only reinforce Fido's behavior because you're giving him attention. It ends up elevating his position as an Alpha dog. Something you definitely don't want.

2. Know How A Dog's Pack Life Works

Dogs live in packs in the wild and they are highly organized. The dogs are ranked from highest, which is the Alpha dog, to the lowest. First access to all resources goes to the Alpha dog and he/she controls the release to all the lower pack members. You really need to understand this because you have to make your dog understand that YOU are the Alpha dog in your home, not him. Your dog needs to feel secure that you are the leader. That way he will let you make decisions, therefore your dog will not be aggressive. If you don't make him understand that, he will take it upon himself to be the Alpha and then you're in trouble.

3. Communicate In A Way They Can Understand

Remember, dogs do not actually understand English, Spanish or any other language. They simply learn to associate the sound of a word with an action, tone or object. This is why a dog will often respond to a word that rhymes with a command, because the overall sound is similar. For the same reason a dog will often NOT respond to a command that is said in a tone, accent or volume that is "unfamiliar" to him.

So when you choose commands for your dog, be sure to use short words that have a very distinctive sound to them. Never use the same word for different commands. A good example of this is the word "down". If you use "down" to get him off the couch, don't use "down" to make him lay down. Make sure your tone stays the same, too.

Communication with your dog starts with making him give you his full attention, so you need to call out his name before blurting out a command. He has to be able to pick out familiar sounds that YOU give him because all day long he hears UNFAMILIAR sounds. Make your voice the familiar sound for him. That's why it's so important to call his name first so he knows you are speaking to HIM only and your sounds are what he needs to listen to.

Don't forget that dogs understand body language. If he sees anger from you don't expect him to come to you with his tail wagging.

Please remember that dogs do not know right and wrong, they just know there is some reaction to their behavior. A good example of this is if your dog chews on any of your furniture, you put him outside for a time out. He then starts to understand that chewing on furniture means he gets ignored so he learns to quit showing that kind of behavior.

Just understand that not everything you and he do will be good communication because sometimes dog's are just a mystery. But that's one of the reasons we love them so much!

I sincerely hope this article was helpful to you. If you would like more information on any dog needs whether it's natural/organic nutrition, dog training, tuff dog toys, dog gifts, allergy kits, flea control and more, please visit http://www.TailWaggingSolutions.blogspot.com While you are there you can enjoy reading "Just For Doggie Laughs" and "Putter's Doggie Tips for the Week". Here's to loving your dog.

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