Training your family dog doesn’t have to be difficult, however it does require that you have not only the right dog training products – but also the right mindset as well.
When it comes to the right products- start with the basics. It’s not a complex list and it can be pared down to 3 Essential Dog Training Tools : a Dog Training Crate. a Dog Training Collar and the right Leash.
Once you have those three essentials in hand – you’ll be well on your way to having the basics to train your dog to be a happy and beloved part of your family.
The only other essential “tool” you’ll need is the right mindset, because without the right mindset – all the other dog training tools in the world won’t help you train your dog to be a treasured member of your family.
Basically, if you’re the type of parent who has a “Because I’m the parent and I SAY SO, that’s why” attitude, then you just need to keep that attitude in mind when it comes to your family dog.
Dogs are pack animals and each pack is lead by an “alpha”. Remember, your dog can’t understand human relationships. In his world, there is a pack and the pack order is what is important. If your dog thinks he’s the alpha – then he makes the rules. He decides where he sleeps – and where he’ll allow you to sleep. If he doesn’t like the children’s behavior – then he’ll correct the children in the way an alpha issues a correction to other members of the pack. First, he’ll give signals which – if ignored – will escalate into growling and finally biting and a full on confrontation.
If, on the other hand, YOU assume the role of alpha dog – you don’t have to worry. Your beloved pooch won’t need “therapy”. Most members of most breeds will willingly assume your natural “leadership” of the pack. After all – those trips you make to the grocery store – that’s something an “alpha dog” does – provide food for the pack. When you go through the door before your dog – tha’ts another “alpha dog” action.
Again – a dog crate will be a critical tool in training your dog and establishing you and everyone who doesn’t get confined to a crate as “above” your dog in the pack order.
The title of this article implies that such dog training is essential to your dog’s health and safety – and proper training IS essential to your dog’s health and safety.
It’s essential that your dog become accustomed to doing what YOU want him to do when you want him to do it. Whether it’s a trip to the vet – or coming when called so he avoids getting hit by a car – more than one dog’s life has been saved because his owners took the time and trouble to train him in the basics. Just as you don’t allow your children to stick pennies in the electrical sockets – it’s just a basic safety issue that your family dog be trained in the basics.
