Is your dog an obedience school "drop out"? If not, congratulations! You've done a great job. But if your dog has failed to learn his lessons ... you are not alone.
I know lots of dogs that are obedience school flunkies, so to speak. I say this in a fun way, but if your dog is untrained or poorly trained, you know that there's nothing fun about it.
Some dog owners don't want a dog that is trained. But it is fun to have a dog that is well behaved, or one who will do tricks. If you are one of those people who would like to have this kind of dog, it is never too late to teach a dog new tricks.
The best way to teach or train a dog is to use positive reinforcement. Give praise or treats when the dog does what you want.
How do you do that?
After a "correct" response, immediately reward your dog. This should be done within one to two seconds of the command. If you wait too long to give the reward, your dog may not understand the connection between his good behavior and the treat.
For motivation and rewards, treats and praise work great. For treats, you can use something like Hill's® Science Diet® Simple Essentials™ Treats. There are several different formulations including some for joint health, immune support and even a "lite" formula.
Another great motivator is praise. A pat on the head or some cheerful words can be very effective motivators for many dogs.
Many pet stores have weekly training sessions for dogs and puppies. This can be a great way for your dog to start learning new "tricks".
But don't worry even if your dog is an obedience school drop out. All dogs are loveable! But remember - it is never too late.
Until next time,
Dr. Jon
P.S. As I mentioned - Hill's® has some great new dog treats. They call themSimple Essentials™. There are 13 tasty (and healthy) varieties, so you can show your love without sacrificing nutrition. These tasty treats are specially formulated to help with everything from mobility and immune support to oral care and a healthy coat.
The ideal dog treat is one made of good quality ingredients, moderate to low in calories, consistent in ingredients (thus unlikely to cause stomach upset from bag to bag), very appealing to your dog and safe.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) publishes feed regulations and ingredient definitions. If the dog food (or treat) follows the guidelines set forth by AAFCO, the label will include a statement that says "Formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for Puppies/Adults/Senior.") Some companies create treats to be in compliance with the AAFCO standards.
It is also important to ensure you are buying the proper size relative to the size of your dog. Dog treats that are too large or too small can cause esophageal obstructions in some dogs.
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