Understanding Dog Psychology

Every dog is capable of behaving if we use these skills in this order: exercise - discipline - affection

To have the dog be less of a "hassle" for you, you need to put the time in when you first get the dog to teach him good from bad and teach him manners. If you dedicate yourself to crate training, walking properly every day and taking him to the dog park to run, play, and socialize, then you will end up with a dog with a wonderfully disciplined personality that will make you proud! In turn, the dog will fit more easily into your life and cause less "hassle". It is significantly more up to the human than the dog on how well the dog behaves.

It is "imperative" that you learn about dog psychology. You, not the dog, are the "alpha". You and any other members of the family (including children) need to know how to treat him like the omega. It is imperative to do this from as early an age as possible. This is a whole subject in itself, but here's an example of what many people do that is in direct conflict with keeping the dog in the omega position:

• Playing tug of war and losing - you must not let go (aka losing). You can train them at the same time to "drop it". When you're done playing then have him "drop it" and throw. You're done, but did not lose!

• Letting a dog lean on you or lay on the couch or stare at you while you are eating - all of these things are behaviors of dominance (unless they are commanded to do such things).
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• Letting the dog walk through a doorway in front of you or letting dog walk in front of you while walking the dog - walking properly is utterly imperative.

• and the list goes on.

I recommend if you either do not believe these things or have never heard of them before, please do research online and see for yourself.

To make training easier and less stressful for both the human and the dog, I would definitely invest in a large kennel (wire or plastic). For a while a puppy or dog new to the home "needs" to be kept in a place where he cannot chew anything he's not supposed to. It's not fair to get angry with a puppy or dog who does not know yet what is OK and not OK in the household; and it is definitely not fair to get angry when the human doesn't put the puppy or dog in a kennel to prevent any accidents.

Eventually you will be able to let him in the house alone, but the "only" way to train him what's OK and not OK is to catch him doing it. So, when you are home make sure you keep a close eye on the little guy so you can "catch him in the act".

Exercise then discipline and then and only then affection. We need to remember one very simple truth: Dogs are not humans. Now matter how much we want them to be they do not see the world and express themselves in the same way that we do. Not understanding how a dog thinks is detrimental to the dog.

I strongly recommend doing research online for "Dog Psychology". All the time you invest in training your new dog will come back three fold in the long run. I recommend watching the Dog Whisperer on The National Geographic Channel.

Kudos to all of the people out there that have a shelter pet!

Source: My personal experience and Caesar Milan

By Dragoness from Sioux Falls, SD