Praise, Motivation and Correction

   Three things are needed to be successful when working with your dog. Regardless of what you are trying to achieve, your training needs to include 1.  Motivation, 2.  Praise, and 3. Correction; and the dog needs to understand the command. Let's say we are teaching the dog to sit. Your dog already knows how to sit, but he doesn't know what it's called and we need him to do it when we give him the command . We will start out with a calm soft voice saying "Sit" , We will say we are training the traditional way with a training collar and leash. When the dog does not sit, you give a gentle leash correction in an upward direction and may need to gently push down on the dog's rear end. As you give the leash correction you will tell the dog "No". The leash correction and the word "No" should be used simultaneously. Remember we are TEACHING the dog, and there is no reason to use a gruff voice. Use a gentle voice. When the dog is in the sit position you will then praise, also using a calm voice. Do not over praise, for some dogs can get too excited and come up out of the sit. As you praise, let the dog know that what he has done is a good thing, tell him "Good Sit" emphasizing the work sit, saying it soft and drawn out. When the dog comes up out of the sit without permission stay calm. You simply give another leash correction and as you do so tell him "No" then "Sit" as you put him back in the sit position. Here is how the Praise, Motivation, and Correction apply:  You may use a treat for a motivator, then your praise to let him know he followed the command properly. Then, if he breaks the command, you then need correction to give him guidance back to the proper behavior.
Hope this helps, as it's easier to show you than tell you how to do it. Remember all dogs are different and may have different levels of energy, shyness or other behaviors. If you have problems seek out professional trainers who can help you make your dog a bigger part of your life! Obedience should be a way of life and a commitment by the owner is needed for success. You must train in order to see results! Look forward to hearing from you and stop by my websit at http://www.shannondogtraining.com/ . It will be up and running again in a few days! I have found I am a better dog trainer than a computer programmer!