Dog Training And Behavior Tips

Before I cover dog training and behavior tips, a word about dog packs. A group of dogs is a pack, but that does not imply the group has a defined hierarchy like a wolf pack. In domesticated dogs it means a goup living or running together. A sled dog yard is considered a pack (and a family living with one dog can be considered a pack.) Social structure is very important to dogs. It is much easier for a dog to get social structure from a sled dog yard.

Okay, here are my top dog training and behavior tips for your pet husky dog.

1. Dogs Are Not Children I know it might seem counterintuitive, but a dog does not understand attention such as hugging and kissing the same way a human child does. This type of attention can be overwhelming to a dog, especially shy dogs. It's important to respect your dogs sense of space.

2. Dog Politics Dogs have human problems. That means whatever problems you and your family have, your dog has too. This can go a long way in discovering why your dog acts as he does.

3. Food Rewards. If your dog found the steak in the garbage or in sitting his food bowl he has been rewarded. Instead of working for our food as hunters and gatherers, food is available to many of us humans 24 hours a day. In wealthy countries, food is an emotional need and a survival resource, but to our dogs food is always a resource. When your dog finds, steals, or sits for food his behavior is getting a resouce. It's like money to humans. Use it wisely.

4. Dogs Only Understand Boundaries Dogs understand what they can do and what they cannot do. If you only tell your dog what boundary they can't do you have not set them up succeed. Always set your dog up for success and not failure.

5. Do Not Allow Out Of Control Behavior Other dogs do not allow it and neither should you. This is an important dog training and behavior tip. Out of control behavior is a dog that greets his owner wildly, or is unable to settle down. Crate training can help control that kind of behavior. The crate provides the environment, but you must provide the calming energy around the crate.

6. A Leader Is Not Aggressive This distinction is very important! Aggression is scary to a dog and a person. You can lead your dog, and not be aggressive. Often humans confuse these two terms. A bully is aggressive and people do not respect bullies they are afraid of them.

7. Behavior is Behavior This is the best dog training and behavior tip. No matter what you call it; bad behavior, aggressive behavior, submissive behavior, shyness, or good behavior, to your dog it is all behavior. To a human this is the description of how your dog is acting. Naming the behavior does not solve it. Training behaviors you want is the solution.

8. Training is a Two Way Street Expecting compliance is not a two way street. Dogs do not come trained as pets. We have to teach them everything from riding in a car to living in our house. They are not born with those skills.

9. No Grey Training Area Your dog either gave you the behavior you asked for or he didn't. If he didn't do what you asked you must change the question! No matter how many times you add 2 plus 2, if you get 5 for an answer your dog does not understand what you want (even if he guessed right a few times).

10. Training Tools Are Just Tools Shock collars, choke chains, anti-jumping devices, gentle leaders. All those things are just tools. Sometimes tools help get the job done, but other times tools are weapons. If frustration and anger is behind using the tool it will become a weapon.

These dog training and behavior tips are a guide. Most important of all, training a dog requires time.

Many problems arise when a dog is not given enough time to solidly bond with his human or when humans expect too much too soon. Dogs do not come trained as pets, we have teach them every step of the way.

A dog has to learn to trust you, and trust may take time depending on your dogs experiences. Lasting friendships are built over time. Keep this in mind while you are working with your dog. No amount of dog training and behavior tips, special training devices, behavior modification seminars, or dog daycare playtime can be a substitute for quality time spent with your dog.

Exercise is the easiest way to teach dog training and behavior