101 Training Tips Your Dog

by Antoine Allison on February 6, 2012

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How To Make Your Dog Listen

When you are at the park, and your dog is off the leash, this is not a good time to find out your dog doesn’t listen to you. There is not one thing worse than a dog that won’t come when he is called! Here are 5 rules you ought to stick to, to make your dog get started to listen to your commands, and not to everything else around him.

1) Firstly, and most importantly, assert your dominance. If you know you are not pack leader, then your dog will recognise as well, and listening to you will be the furthermost thing from his mind. Make sure things are done when you are ready. Not when the dog says so. If he is used to getting his own way with everything, then you have no control, and subsequently he has no reason to listen to you. Things you may do to assert dominance are feeding your dog last in the household, making him “sit” before getting fed or petted, and not letting him sleep on your bed, as this is reserved for alpha members of the pack.

2) The next point to do not forget when giving your dog a command is that it must count for something. It’s no good giving him the same command over, and over and not enforcing it, as all you are doing here is showing him that no matter how numerous times you tell him, he doesn’t have to do it! If the command is to sit, make sure his rear-end touches the ground before you go on to something else, even if you have to gently push him down into the sitting position. Equally, don’t give a command in a circumstance where you recognise you will be ignored.

3) If your dog will in general listen to you but won’t come when he is called, perhaps while running in the park or along the beach, keep him on a leash or long-line until you have gained control. Practice calling him in a littler enclosed area. It is essential you call the same way you would if he were far away from you. Praise him like crazy when he comes. Give a treat. He will associate the calling of his name with pleasure and he will focus on this rather than what might be around the corner.

4) If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs, or even if he just gets over excessively affected emotionally and uncontrollable, you need to incorporate vocal commands and a diversion technique. Get the upper hand and make sure you see what is coming before your dog does. When out walking, for instance, as soon as you see that he’s seen another dog, stop, and make him sit. Firmly tell him “No” until the other dog passes. Repeat the command and use his name. Keep your voice calm and level, as raising your voice or yelling will suggest to the dog there is something to react to. Then give a treat. Soon, your dog’s attention will be more on what he may do for you, than what other dogs are doing.

5) Keep obstacles to attention to a minimum. Start your training in a quiet environment, away from other noises and movements so all of his attention is on you. When you have taught your dog to follow a few simple commands well, and he is employed to listening to you, then you may go out and carry on training in other places.

When training your dog, the key to success is to be consistent. If he isn’t permitted to jump on the furniture today, then don’t give in to him tomorrow! It will only confuse him. Get to know your dog. What may work for an individual else may not work for you, and vice-versa. Try dissimilar methods. When you find one that works, stick with it, and you will find training much more rewarding and far less stressful for you and your dog.


About the AuthorBruce Fogle D.V.M. is a well-known expert on animal behavior. He has written assorted acclaimed books, including the Dog Owner’s Manual, New Complete Dog Training Manual, and What’s Up With My Dog?

101 Training Tips Your Dog

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Most helpful customer reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
5Great Book for First Time Puppy Owners.
By A
I bought this book when I got my first Puppy and it is great tool to help a new owner through the first few months of housebreaking and training. Very readable and to the point. Great value too- a lot of book for your buck!

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful.
2Was NOT Impressed!
By Tiffany Weaver
I was really not impressed with this book at all. I just got a new puppy and was eager to read it. It was VERY short, and I felt as if I was in third grade again, i.e. the book DOES tell you about howling. It says to leave the dog with a favorite treat, or something that you have rubbed on your hands. GIVE ME A BREAK! If you like short books (I read it in 15 minutes) than this is the book for you. I would only recommend getting this if you have another book to accompany it. The price was right and I keep it for a quick reference…

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
5Wonderful Quick Reference
By Gay H. Hammond
This small, well-illustrated and attractive book is a great quick-reference guide to training your dog or puppy. I found this book to be wonderful to have on hand for children and 1st-time dog owners. It is not particularly for the “old pro” at dog raising, but I still found it useful. It is especially great to give to the spouse who doesn’t think having a puppy a good idea (and who won’t take the time to read a more involved book), or to the child who is eager to raise your dog but doesn’t have the first idea how to go about it. As in ALL DK books, WELL DONE!

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