Checking Leash Aggressiveness And Educating Your Dog To Stay
by Brad Morgan
Filed under Pets
You are walking down the street and the next thing you know, your normally loving dog becomes aggressive towards other dogs and people he sees. It’s enough to make you want to keep him inside all the time!
Skipping walks is not an option and may exacerbate the problem. Can you curb leash aggression so your daily walks aren’t nightmares?
Dogs are like children in many ways. Often you can avoid bad behavior if you redirect their attention. If you see something that usually causes your dog to become aggressive, immediately distract him. Tell him to sit or lie down to keep him busy until the dog or person passes.
Dogs often become very aggressive when they meet other dogs. If your dog does this, it is important that you not physically react when you see a dog on your route. Your dog can pick up on your body signals and will be much more apt to act up. Stay calm and keep the leash firmly in hand without pulling or tensing.
Some dogs may require a gentle leader harness or muzzle. These should only be used temporarily until your dog learns not to lunge. If you have a dog who is a danger, they can keep others safe. This is the first priority.
Some dogs will persist at lunging despite your best efforts. If this is the case with your dog, consult with a professional trainer. You don’t want to let the behavior go unchecked; your dog will become a danger to your neighborhood. as well as to himself.
Many dogs pull and lunge when on a leash. If your dog displays this very natural reaction to being on a leash, it is vital that you take action as soon as possible so it doesn’t become either an irritating habit or a dangerous one.
Teaching your dog to stay can be an immensely useful command, and it will definitely impress other dog owners. As always, use treats and praise to help you teach.
To learn to stay, your dog first needs to know how to sit and/or lie down. When he masters this, staying is the next step. Begin by telling him to sit or lie down. As he does this, put your hand out and say, “Stay.” Make sure you use a firm yet calm voice.
Your dog may only be able to stay for a second or two at first. No matter how long he stays, remember to praise him and give him a treat. He will be able to stay longer as he practices.
Also teach him the release command so he learns when it is time to get up. “Ok” or “Come” are often used. Again, praise and treats make training easier.
As you work with your dog, you can lengthen the time your dog stays. Demand a little more each time before you give him his treat.
At the same time, make sure you’re not extending your training sessions too long. Five minutes is enough to get great results.
Dogs do not respond to long training sessions. They get bored, lose focus, or fail to respond to commands. Remember also to be patient, especially at first. Remind your dog to stay often, until he gets it on his own. You may also have to reteach the basics a few times before it is learned. Knowing they are about to get a treat may make your dog antsy, but be patient and make him obey the command each time before he gets his treat.
If you keep working, your dog will be able to stay for longer periods. You’ll be impressed when he stays even when you leave the room. Treats will become unnecessary after training, but praise is never obsolete. Let your dog know when he is doing a good job.
Here are some great resources to start finding aggressive puppy training and easily review websites such as this dog obedience training results.
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