Dog Training Article: Leadership

By Jess Rollins
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Leadership

Displaying good leadership qualities means letting your dog he must listen to you to get the things he wants!

Have your dog practice obedience (tricks) to get his food, treats and favorite toys.

Give attention according to YOUR schedule. If your dog asks to play or be petted, ignore him, but remember to offer it later after asking him to perform some behavior like "sit" or "stay".

Prevent marking all over the neighborhood on walks. Only allow it when you've stopped walking and given a cue like "go sniff".

Do not allow pulling on walks. Walk in the opposite direction to which the dog is pulling or "be a tree" until he relaxes the pulling.

Implement Door Manners (Do not allow him to go out of main doors without waiting for permission)

Assert your right to you own space. Do not scoot over for your dog or walk around him.

Protect him from dangerous situations or ones that he will be overly fearful of.

Car Sickness

Drooling, shaking, panting, vomiting... Sound familiar? Behaviorists believe that almost all car sickness in dogs is caused by fear. To overcome this problem, you will need to slowly teach your dog not to be afraid of the car. Aids that help him to be calm can make the process go a little quicker.

Teach him the car is a great place: begin by just rewarding him for being near the car, then for voluntarily getting in, then reward him when you turn on the engine, and continue like so in baby steps. Feed him his meals in the car (but not right before a trip of course!)   Do not to feed your dog less than one hour before car rides.

Avoid taking your dog for trips that are longer than he can tolerate while you are teaching him not to be afraid.

Use a secured crate when transporting your dog: This is a very safe and it can also help him to if he is already comfortable with his crate.

 You can try using some of the calming supplements on the market, DAP spray or an Anxiety Wrap, having him sit on your lap, or opening the window.