Doggy Mad!

Chris Hope asked:


of some of the most effective dog training tips you can implement to improve the behavior of your dog and increase obedience.

Exercise Your Dog Prior to Being Gone for a Long Period of Time

Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise prior to you leaving the house for awhile. Before work, let your dog out if possible while you get ready or take her for a walk. Or you can have someone come by to play with her a bit. If she gets restless or needs to get rid of some energy and is housebound trouble can ensue.

Only Allow Your Dog to Chew on Chewing Toys and Nothing Else

If you play a friendly game of tug-a-war with an old shoe or some other old item you no longer need, you may inadvertently give your dog the message that it would be okay to chew on those new items you don\’t want damaged. If you dog happens to get a hold of something you don\’t want her getting a hold of, treat it with bitter apple to teach her to dislike chewing on those items. Also make sure your dog has plenty of chewing toys around so she won\’t feel the need to get into something else.

Feed Your Dog on a Regular schedule and Always after the Household Eats

Have regular feeding times for your dog, and always feed your family first then your dog. This helps establish dominance over your dog, which is vital to controlling your dog\’s behavior in a non-combative way. Dominant behavior from your dog can lead to bad habits such as chewing, growling, and excessive aggression towards other dogs and possibly people.

Keep Your Dog from Getting Bored

This expands from the previous tip of making sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Mixed it up – take her on walks, play fetch, let her run around at the park, possibly let her mingle with other dogs at the local dog park. Rotate a fresh supply of dog toys to keep her from getting bored of old toys. Good toys include rubber squeaky toys (good for when you are not around the house), dog rope chews, chewing bones, and plush toys you can find at the local pet store.

Dog tips!