The younger the better!  Positive, sensitive methods of training will teach your dog that it can look up to you for guidance and direction.  This is a great way to enhance your relationship.

Training is simply teaching, and teaching your dog  likely begins on day one.

It is never too late to begin training.  Dogs can continue  to learn  throughout their lifetime.   

 When we acquire an adult dog which has never been taught anything, we begin with very simple exercises to build its confidence.  This dog is newly learning how learning works.

The short answer is that you have not yet taught your dog to listen under various circumstances and in different environments.  Your dog listens when it wants to, but it doesn’t know that listening is a requirement, regardless.
The root of the word “obedience” means “to listen.

Obedience training is the vehicle whereby you learn how to gain your own leadership skills and teach your dog to be more responsive.  As dog owners, we often need to play several roles.  That of best friend, and caregiver as well as teacher.

NOTE:  Our Temper is NOT the Right Tool!

Great question!   Here’s the short answer as I could write a book on this topic.

a. Group Classes
Advantage: Inexpensive

Disadvantage:  Not personalized

Most instructors at pet stores are limited by the   information they are allowed to    provide and the tools they are allowed to use.

B. Private Lessons
Advantage: Very Personalized with the RIGHT Instructor.
The instructor can be a lot more hands on as they personally train your dog.  You learn by watching and receiving personalized coaching.

Disadvantage: Wrong instructor for you and your dog.  Increased dollar investment.

C. Board and Train
Advantage: Certain people may have a physical disability which prevents them from training their own dog.  Others may have life commitments such as work that prevents them from participating regularly and minimizes their practice time.  With board and train, the dog trainer does more of this work for you.

Disadvantage:  The success of this program is truly dependent on the instructor’s ability  and commitment to teaching  you how to practice with your dog.

 Caution:  Always investigate where your dog will be staying.

The word “No” is essential for a dog’s safety.  For my own dogs, “No” means to stop whatever you are doing.  It gives them direction. 

The overuse of the word “No” however, does create a problem.   This is a common trap for new puppy owners whose puppies know no boundaries in their early weeks of living.  Anyone who feels like they are saying “No” all the time … is going down the wrong path.  It’s time for more solutions. 

We MUST remember that telling any dog what not to do is only half of the lesson.   We need to follow through by showing them what we would like them to do instead.

A good rule may be that every correction is followed by redirection and praise of some sort. 

It’s always best to focus on showing your dog what you want them to do! 

My first question is how old is your dog and has your dog ever injured another dog?

If you have an adult dog, 2 years or older, and it has injured another dog then there are all sorts of precautions and training that need to take place to prepare you for dealing with this behavior.  For truly aggressive behavior you want to work with a professional trainer.

On the other hand, if you have a young dog, that is normally great with other dogs this is a different story.  Younger dogs, that are great with other dogs at dog daycare or great at the dog park should not be labeled reactive.  The correct label for their behavior is more oftentimes  “A Phony Tough”.

It is not uncommon for this posturing behavior to begin as a dog matures.

When we watch two puppies play, most of the time their play behavior consists of play fighting.  Rehearsing play fighting is FUN!.   Similarly, behaving tough and lunging on leash can also be a ton of fun for this maturing young dog.

Phony tough behavior is particularly fun when the handler has their dog wearing a harness.  There is no way to correct the dog, and the harness makes lunging very comfortable.  The harness contributes to supporting this behavior.

Regardless, this posturing behavior is inappropriate, and it should not be tolerated.  Over time it will only worsen.  With a simple change in training equipment and a few corrections you can take the fun out of it.

This is learned behavior.  All dogs learn from experience.  When a dog’s only experience with the front door is to excitedly exit, and go for a walk, that’s what they want to do.  With or without you!  It has been taught to go out the front door and leave!

A more balanced experience is what’s required.  For example, going out the front door is just  a trip to the mailbox, and then we come back inside.    

 It will take repetition but here is the message, “We are not leaving!”  Get creative. Stay within your property’s perimeter.  Perimeter train your dog.

When it is time for a walk … lets go out the front door, or a different door and get in the car.  Drive off the property instead and then go for your walk. 

Finally, with training, a dog can easily be taught how to “Wait” at the front door which is another part of the solution. 

For a dog to pull on leash, two things are required.  A handler and a dog.

This behavior is simple to correct when you have the right tools.  First, your dog needs to wear effective training equipment.  Second, you may benefit from  instruction on how to operate training equipment correctly.

Since the needs for different dogs and their handlers vary, the correct and effective training equipment will vary as well.  There are numerous choices.

Recommendation: View Videos on our Dog Training Equipment page

In your dog’s defense, let’s first remember that jumping up is a natural behavior for a dog. 

The universe did not make any mistakes when it created the dog.  All “Jumping for Joy” cannot be bad. 

 It is more realistic to think of my dog’s jumping behavior as something I want to minimize and manage.  We want to focus on teaching your dog what else to do.  How to come and sit for example.  Sitting is a great way to redirect jumping. 

 Once again, whatever we notice the most expands.  If I focus on jumping, I will see more jumping.  Likewise, when I focus on noticing my dog sitting, I will see more sitting.

Recommendation: Notice sitting!  Pay big for it as a start.

There are dogs which are naturally well-behaved.  It’s not uncommon for me to meet a new client, (a dog owner) who tells me that up until now, they have never needed professional assistance in training any of their dogs.  All their dogs in the past were naturally well behaved.  This was no accident.

 As a young adult, my very first dog  was this way.  It was as if her whole way of being was focused on “How may I please you”?  When I reflect on those times, I believe that my joy in teaching her new things and taking her everywhere with me helped to shape her into the incredible companion she became.

 Obedience Training & Taking Your Dog as Many Places with You as Possible, naturally prepares them to be adaptable, and to feel at home away from home. 

Start now!  The more you go out in public together, the quicker the two of you will learn how to meet those demands. It’s also a great way to learn how and where you may need a little extra professional help.

The first question is what is your special need?  How would you benefit from your dog’s assistance?  A service dog provides a service for its owner. 

 Seeing Eye Dogs were some of the first to earn this distinguished title along with the privileges in public.  Today we have Hearing Dogs which alert their owner to sounds, Mobility Assistance Dogs who may retrieve items and open doors, Psychiatric Service Dogs whose owners suffer from conditions like PTSD and Autism Service Dogs which provide stability and focus to their handlers. 

 Finally, there is also the designation of Emotional Support Dog. This dog owner benefits from the emotional support they receive by having their dog with them.  They typically do not have a prescription from their doctor which means this dog supports their owner emotionally rather than medically.  For this reason, certain institutions such as airlines may not offer this dog the same privileges offered to Medically Prescribed Service Dogs. 

 Service Dogs and handlers HAVE EARNED the privilege of being welcome in public places.  This dog is Dressed, Groomed and Behaves according to Service Dog protocol. 

 Any Dog & Handler who does not meet these standards or any the dog that displays inappropriate behavior in public may be denied access by any establishment. 

 Basic Obedience Training, socialization and exposure to the different environments are foundational for all Service Dog categories.  In addition, you would find a trainer that specializes in the unique service you need your dog to provide.