How Dog Obedience Training Creates Happy Dogs

The right amount of dog obedience training can help your puppy develop into a confident, happy dog who behaves well both at home and when you're out walking together. Unfortunately many people approach dog obedience training with some misconceptions and with the wrong kind of training, a puppy could grow up to be fearful or nervous or even aggressive. This happens when a puppy is confused by the commands he's given and he doesn't know how else to respond.

Effective dog obedience training is based around praise and reward for a task or a behavior carried out well, but is equally modified by correct 'penalty'. Please note that penalty does not mean punishment. It's important not to punish a puppy with scolding or smacking at any time or he may retaliate simply because he doesn't know what's required of him. Let's look at both methods in some detail.

Puppies don't understand words, but they do understand tones and body language very well. When your puppy first comes home, he will have no idea what you expect, so he will act in the same way he would around his litter-mates. This means biting, nipping, play-fighting and jumping to get your attention. It also means going to the toilet when he needs to go wherever he might be.

Teaching a puppy to work within your household's rules is quite easy with dog obedience training methods, but it does require patience and understanding. Always keep in mind that your puppy wants nothing more than to please you. So when puppy does something you like, tell him or her "good dog" in a high-pitched, happy voice. Watch for natural behaviors and encourage them by keeping your voice light and happy. Your puppy will try to keep doing what made you happy.

Another form of reward is a small treat or snack. When you're actively showing puppy what you want to do, have a stash of treats handy, either in a belt-bag or dog obedience training bag around your waist. Take a treat and lead the puppy to sit or stand or go outside to the toilet. When the puppy does what you've asked it to do, praise him again with a high-pitched happy voice and give him a treat and a quick affectionate pat. This means don't hand out treats just because he's cute. Make him work to earn those treats by doing the things you want him to do.

This form of positive reinforcement training will see your puppy working hard to do what you ask in order to receive those treats and praise from you. You should start to notice your puppy trying very hard to listen to your words in case one of them might be a command for him so he can begin working to get another treat.

A nursing dog-mother will allow her puppies to play and practice hunting and nip litter-mates, but if play gets too rough, she'll give a small warning growl and turn her back on the pups. This treatment is the most effective in teaching a puppy right from wrong and most often used in dog obedience training classes.

When your puppy jumps or nips, don't scold or scream or smack him. He doesn't understand that he's done wrong. He only understands that scolding and smacking represent aggression from you. This will not stop the behavior you want to modify, but may actually make it worse. It's all about being positive and patient.

Remember, your puppy wants only to make you happy and dog obedience training can teach you both how to interact with each other the right way. Turn your back on a jumping dog and show him that you have a treat but he won't get it until he sits down. When he wants to chew your hand, remove your hand calmly and replace it with a squeaky toy and then praise him for chewing the toy instead of you. This form of dog obedience training will see your puppy understanding his human masters and working hard to make sure he's getting it right.

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