Understanding Dog Training
You know, the longer we at Mutts with Manners have worked in dog training, the more we've come to understand that dogs rarely have 'behavioural problems'; dogs generally are just doing what dogs do - normal dog behaviour just doesn't tend to fit into human society. Take toilet training, for example - in a dog world, if you need to toilet you just move away a little bit and do your thing. This, however, doesn't work for us as although our dog may not be toileting where we are, there's a pretty good chance that they're still actually inside the house at the time - not precisely the desired toilet training result. And look at jumping! When we get our pups it's much easier for us to get them to meet us half way and when they're not much bigger than a Doner Kebab having them on our laps is really nice. Once they start developing into the active, toothy and/or large adolescents we come to realise that maybe this isn't going to work for us in the long term - so we change the rules. Many people also think that their pups or dogs will 'grow out of it' but instead they'll grow into it because it's a natural dog behaviour (so the sooner you train your dog as to what you want, the less stress, damage and cost will be involved).
Rather than punishing dog behaviours that we don't like, Mutts with Manners' behaviour training is about working with dogs and teaching them the behaviours that fit with human-kind. Our in-home training means that we come to you, assess your situation and teach you the skills and techniques to develop that trusting relationship which means that you can then guide your dog's behaviour. Dog training should be a mutually pleasurable experience - if you're bullying your dog, pinning him down or punishing then you're your dog has absolutely no reason to listen to you. Being a leader for your dog has nothing to do with aggression, it's to do with setting rules and boundaries and PRAISING all the good stuff that your dog offers you. That said, yes, you may need to correct inappropriate behaviours but again, that should never involve aggression.
Be a good leader, set the rules and boundaries and follow through (you're not doing a very good job if you don't!). And TRAIN your dog as to what you want :-)
Ideally dog training starts with puppy trainingwithin days of your pup coming home.
