Twosday Training Tip

TIP #1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG'S VOCAL COMMUNICATIONS
Canine vocal communications can be classified as barks, growls, howls, whines, and whimpers. Within those classifications, the sounds can have varying meanings. Your dog's voice must be taken in context with the rest of his behavior and body language for you to truly understand what he's saying to you.
- The Whole Dog Journal

TIP #2: DOMINANCE IS A NON-ISSUE
What is important is the good relationship between you and your dog, and getting training results that allow you to live harmoniously together. Good training sets the human and the dog up to both get what they want so everyone is happy. For example:
                                      

• Reward behaviors you like. That will make them happen more often.
• Ignore behaviors you don’t like to avoid unintentional reinforcement. That will make them happen less often.
• Practice nothing for free. Ask your dog to sit for doors to be opened, balls to be thrown, leashes to come off at the park, etc. This makes asking politely your dog’s main strategy for getting what he wants, instead of using pushy, obnoxious behavior.

 
With methods like these, everyone wins. You get a happy, well-behaved dog and your dog gets to chase balls, sniff other dogs, and eat treats, all of which are high on his list of priorities.

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