6 Tips to Help You Gain Better Control Over Your Dog

You love your dog and want to do whatever it takes to make him/her happy. It’s easy to get used to behaviours that would make you cringe if anybody else were around to see it. But, it’s important to show your dog that you’re the one who’s in charge.

Whether your dog barks excessively, growls, doesn’t listen to commands or jumps all over the place, there are things you can do.

Here are some things to try.

Tip 1: Exercise a Dog that is Bouncing off the Walls

Depending on your dog’s age, more or less exercise will be required. A 9-month-old lab needs at least 60 minutes of off leash frolicking every day. It is best to do this in the morning, so that the dog will be tired and relaxed most of the day. Older dogs and more sedate breeds will be happy with a leash walk. Know your dog and take visual and behavioural cues that she is bored and about to look for mischief.

Ready your tissues for this one... It's worth watching. 

Tip 2: Does Your Dog Use You as a Chew Toy?

If your dog uses you or your family as chew toys, the next thing to do is get those razor-sharp canines busy by making them work for their dinner. Buy food-dispensing toys, such as the Molecuball. Fill a hollow toy with mixed wet and dry food and freeze it overnight. Breakfast goes from a 30-second hoovering to a fun 40-minute adventure that will likely put them out for a nap.

Tip 3: Reward Only Good Behaviour

Negative reinforcement in the form of reprimands or shouting simply does not work. Dogs crave attention, any attention, and your shouts may be misconstrued as a sign that it's play time. You have to train yourself to notice the polite behaviour and show attention in those moments, maybe they get a long scratch or an occasional biscuit. Even better, take them for a walk or to play outside. Once they figure out that attention comes to quiet, patient dogs, she will start to repeat the behaviour to get the reward.

Tip 4: Give Time-Outs

Some behaviours, such as jumping and mouthing are unpleasant and even painful. To avoid injuring someone, your dog needs to be introduced to consequences. If they jump up on someone or try to use them as a chew toy, give them a 30-second time-out.

Chew toys...

Whenever they jump up, use a catch phrase, such as "Uh oh!" Then, follow up by putting him in an area set aside for just that purpose. During the time-out, the dog should be ignored. Keep a short leash at home to make it easier to control them if they resists arrest.

Tip 5: Work on Impulse Control

Whenever possible, look for teachable moments to reward your dog when they’re calm and controlled. This is part of their impulse control training. For example, ask them to come sit by you and wait quietly before eating. Here are some other conditioning exercises that will help your pup become the dog you know they can be.

• Waiting for your cue before jumping in or out of a car
• Waiting quietly for a cue before leaving the crate
• Teaching then to "settle" on voice command

Tip 6: Call in the Big Dogs, Dog Trainers

If you want a well-trained dog and are willing to reinforce good behaviour, then consider taking them to a dog trainer to control their behaviour. Your dog can be trained alone or in a group. There are a number of options available, and you should talk to the dog trainer to see what might work best for you and your pet.

Having a dog should be a joyous experience and you should be able to form a companionship with them. This won’t be possible if you don’t take the necessary steps to control them.

I'd like thank Katie Johnson for this informative post.