Sometimes you will read about a trainer who claims to have discovered a new secret way to teach your dog good behavior. There are different approaches to training, but no secrets. Good dog behavior is based on skillful application of a few basic principles that anyone can learn. But there are some "magic tricks" that we can employ to improve our dog's relationship to the family. In this article, we are going to share these with you in the hope that they will provide you with useful tools for your family dog needs. Here are the three "magic words."
Diet: What your dog eats helps to determine how your dog behaves! To keep your dog at its best, we suggest that you avioid in expensive supermarket kibble. Also, even "premium" dog foods can contain preservatives and artificial ingredients that can impact behvior. We recommend natural and organic dog foods to keep you dog in top condition. These can be found at small, privately owned pet stores (like Abby's Dog Depot); you will not find them at the chain stores.
Exercise: Lack of exercises, and the ensuing inertia and boredom, are major contributors to poor behavior. Dogs that chew, bark excessively or dig in inappropriate places may simply be restless and need to work off their excess energy. For the average healthy adult dog, half an hour of vigorous exercise in a must. For active breeds, or adolescent dogs, more is required. Intense, aerobic exercise such as running, hiking, fetching or swimming has two positive effects: it tires your dog out so that it will sleep peacefully and it releases chemicals in the brain that increase your dog's sense of well being.
Training: Dogs need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise, and training is the best way to keep your dog mentally sharp. We advocate teaching some simple behavior using positive reinforcement, and then putting your dog on a Teamwork Program, so that it earns its real life privileges by performing simple behaviors for you. We also are strong believers in life-long learning for dogs; just as people flourish through continuous learning, so do dogs. So try always to have some new trick for your dog to learn. It will keep both of you on your best behavior.
Three simple words: diet, exercise, training. The keys to good behavior!
Positive Training for Lifelong Companionship info@ridogguy.com (401) 339-2398