Understanding is key to dog training, experts say
While pet owners would prefer their dog’s bark be worse than its bite, constant barking can be particularly biting to the ears––and patience. A dog that jumps up on people, is too aggressive, or does not come when called can be difficult to live with as well.

That’s why experts say behavioral training is so important, and that lasting training isn’t about treats and physical punishment. It’s about understanding the way Fido thinks and communicating in a way that establishes the owner as top dog.

“Dogs are pack animals. They have a specific way of interacting, which includes an instinctual manner of communication. Learning how to communicate effectively with your dog in a language it understands is the first step toward establishing leadership and control,” said Andrew Brooke, CEO of Bark Busters USA.

The Australian founders of Bark Busters developed a natural training technique that uses the same communication methods—body language and voice control—that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. According to Brooke, the method can effectively train any dog (even puppies) in about two hours, with a dog owner’s commitment to reinforce the training 10 minutes per day for a few weeks to ensure the learning becomes permanent.

Brooke offers these pointers for dealing with misbehaving dogs:•Dogs crave good leadership.

If they don’t get it from their owner, they’ll take charge. That leads to bad behavior such as barking, jumping, aggression and pulling on the leash––each examples of the dog taking charge. Dogs will challenge for leadership in the home, just as a wolf will in the wild. The owner needs to win all challenges to demonstrate good leadership.

•There are several ways to establish leadership. First, ignore all requests from the dog, such as nudges to be petted, or played with.

To do so, break eye contact. Then, when the dog has “given up,” call him back to you to be petted or to play. When he responds to you, versus you to him, he sees you as the leader. If he misbehaves, such as chewing on a child’s toy, correct his behavior with a forceful, low-toned growl. As soon as he stops, offer pleasant, high-toned praise. He will understand his mistake and respect you as his leader.•In the wild the leader always leads the pack physically.

Establish your leadership by always leading your dog up and down stairs, through doorways, and especially on walks. Remember, the leader always leads.

“This training method works with any dog, regardless of problem, age or breed,” said Brooke.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.