Then you get up and go without talking, looking or turning back to see your dog. When you come home, you enter and you ignore the dog. They most probably be jumping with joy to see you. Strictly ignore them. No matter how tempted you are to pick and cuddle them. Until they quietens down completely, then you greet them happily but just briefly. Make sure you are away from the doorway by now. Repeat this all the time. Eventually, this feeling will replace your dog’s highly emotional mental images of you leaving and coming home.Dogs normally think in images and we can change their behavior in hundreds of ways if we will think as they do.

For example, you want your dog to stay away from walking towards the middle of the road. You bring your dog and stand at the sidewalk, when a car passes by, just as your dog starts towards the street from the sidewalk, then praising its retreat, is a valuable exercise in negative imagery. This must be repeated until your dog avoids the street when cars are present as well as not present. Teaching your dog the “panic” code is absolutely necessary. Use a “panic” command followed by your dog’s name with a different tone. Then use another tone with praising words.This can come together with hand clapping or you crouching forward etc. There combined are particularly helpful when your dog is out of sight as well.

10 Things to remember when training your dog

Never hit a young puppy

Be consistent with your dog, rather than harsh

Dont allow biting – yelp and replace hand with toy

Correct a dog immediately after they misbehaviour

Dogs need new experiences with other people, dogs and places, when very young to get socialised

Dogs need successes and less correction before full maturity so they can develop confidence

Train your dog in order to establish communication and give it purpose, and make it tolerable

Dogs need to be in a dominance hierarchy with everyone; if you are not above your dog, you will be below it

Dominance over a dog is achieved with leadership, never harshness

Praise excitedly

with food

Teach your dog to sit before you put the bowl on the floor by holding it above his head. When he tips his head to look up, his haunches will hit the floor. Praise him and quickly put the bowl down. If he stands up too soon, have someone hold him gently in sitting position while you put the bowl down. Treats are great training aids for dogs. Just make sure that your pup obeys a command before getting his treat.

with playtime

Show your puppy how to play with his toys, and make it fun and exciting for him. Let him know how happy you are and how good he is when he is chewing his toys. However, if he starts to chew your furniture, firmly tell him “No”, or “Off”, and then immediately show him one of his toys. Encourage him to play and chew on it. Praise him profusely when he does so.

importance of socialisation

During your puppy’s first year, it is very important that it is exposed to a variety of social situations. After the puppy has had all its shots, carefully expose it to the outside world. Take it to different places; parks, schools, different neighbourhoods, obedience classes , just about anywhere you can think of that would be different for a little puppy. If the puppy seems afraid, then let it explore by itself. Encourage the puppy, but be firm, not coaxing.

Your favourite pet shop is a good place; dog show are another. You want the pup to fearfully to new situations when it is an adult. You also want it to learn that you will will not ask it to do anything dangerous or harmful. Socialising your dog can be much fun for you and the dog !

don’t coddle

Do not commit the classic mistake made by many owners when their dogs exhibit fear or aggression on meeting strangers. Do Not “soothe” them, or say things like “Its OK”. This serves as reinforcement and encourages the fear or growling. Instead, say “No!” sharply and praise it when it stops. Praise even more when it allows its head to be petted. If it starts growling or backing up again, say “No!” Be a little more gentle with the “No” if the dog exhibits fear, but do be firm. With a growling dog, be much more emphatic and stern with your “No!”

Find a good obedience class and attend it. A good start is puppy kindergarden classes as they also help to socialise your puppy. Do ten-minute training sessions at home every day. You’ll be amazed at all the activities you can do with your dog once you and the dog learn the basics. Training is fun and simple if approached that way.