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The Six Steps Disciplining Your Dog.

Often, novice pet owners hear cute turns of phrase such as, “You must be in charge,” to justify just about any method. The novice owner jumps from one strategy to another in the hopes that they will finally find the tool to discipline effectively.

If you want to successfully control a dog, you need to follow certain steps.

Step one: Teach the dog what is expected.
Imagine for a moment that you're learning how to use a computer for the first time. Imagine your teacher swats your hand each time you make a mistake. Not pleasant. It's no different for a dog. If you want a dog to sit for visitors, the first step is to teach your dog what sit means. Dogs do not come genetically programmed to understand human language. Take the time to clearly coach them.

Step two: Set routines and boundaries
Sounds simple, but most people miss this one. When you get a puppy, sit down as a family and agree on rules. If one person lets the dog on the couch and another gets mad, frankly, it's the humans that need some discipline not the dog. Make the consequences clear. “If you sit at the door, I will open the door to start our walk. The walk does not start until you follow the routine.”

Step three: Distractions
Work at a level that the dog is currently capable of achieving. Distraction work is a lot like sport coaching. If you want to teach a child to play hockey, the first step is to teach them to stand on the ice. Then you teach them to glide and stop. After they can do the basics, you teach crossing over and skating backwards. Then you add distractions such as checking and stick handling. It would seem insane to check a kid who couldn't reliably skate in a straight line. Create a plan that builds on former skills.

Step four: Control the environment
Novice owners often fall prey to being “too nice.” Aunt Matilda comes over and positively squeals, “Ohhhh – I don't mind if he jumps!” A trainer won't allow Aunt Matilda to do this. Honestly, it's Aunt Matilda that needs some discipline. Put the dog on a leash and have a chat with the Aunt.

Step five: Act like a leader.
Leaders command respect – they don't demand it. When you see someone who is shouting, frustrated or nagging, it is a sure sign that they are not in control. Times have changed. There used to be a time when bosses, spouses and parents would use intimidation to get others to submit. Now, we learn to lead and motivate. Act in a way that earns you respect. It works for dogs too.

Step six: Punishment clear and fits the crime
The main difference between dogs and humans is language. I can explain to my child why he is sitting in a time out. I cannot explain it to my dog. This means that any punishment needs to be crystal clear and well timed. For example, if a dog is jumping for attention, then a well-executed timeout strategy is probably going to fit the crime. Since you've been a self-disciplined owner and put a strategy in place, chances are time-outs are the most severe punishment you'll ever need.

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

Yvette has 2 dogs of her own, KIKI and KAYA. Take a look...

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