Tips for Socializing Your Dog

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Tips for Socializing Your Dog Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 Tips for Socializing Your Dog Have you ever seen dogs meet for the first time? A positive first meeting is no accident. Did you know there are ways owners can set their dogs up for successful social interaction? Keep reading to learn how to introduce dogs to new pets and people. Dogs have unique personalities. Some are more social than others. But dogs can also be trained to get along with other dogs, animals and people. Socializing a dog works best when you: • Start young • • Create a safe environment • • Make socializing a priority • • Watch for signs of stress or distress • • Develop opportunities to try introductions No matter what your dog's age, it's never too late to learn how to socialize your dog. Here are some ideas to try every day:

• Play games with your dog like "fetch" to teach your dog body language and sharing. • • Interact with other dogs to help your dog interact appropriately. • • Observe your dog's emotional state. (Behaviors like cowering and tail-tucking indicate he's overwhelmed.) • • Reward good behavior. Progress deserves praise your dog will recognize.

A Well Behaved Dog

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity A Well Behaved Dog Published by Alpha Dog Training https://www.alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 A well-behaved dog is a joy to live with, and proper dog training helps ensure that your pup can participate in almost everything you do together. Puppies can begin very simple training starting as soon as they come home, usually around 8 weeks old. Whether your goal is puppy socialization and or participating in dog sports, training is key to making your dog more confident and comfortable in a variety of situations. It’s also a lot of fun for both people and dogs. Dog training is also a considerable part of responsible dog ownership, but getting started in training might be confusing. The good news is Alpha Dog Training is here to help, whatever you and your dog need. Alpha Dog Training’s comprehensive good manners series can improve behavior and form the foundation your dog needs to participate in other sports that can be found at AKC clubs or Alpha Dog Training facilities. The Alpha Dog Training Helpline provides telephone consultation with our team of expert trainers who can offer instant information for immediate concerns. We off expert advice and guidance that you can use to teach your dog that you can apply on your own. https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700.

Teaching the "down" Command

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Teaching the “down” Command Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 The “down” command is often one of the first behaviors I teach a new puppy. I find that it’s one of the simplest behaviors to capture and one of the most useful household manners for a dog to know. I’m always amazed at how much trouble people go to in order to teach their dog this simple behavior. There are as many methods for teaching “down” as there are trainers to teach it. If you’re working harder than your dog is to teach him something new, you’re doing something wrong. I prefer lazy training, which is why I like the “down” command. Here’s the thing: every dog has to lie down eventually. I just wait for the dog to lie down on his own, then reward him for doing so. At some point in the training process, usually after the first 10-20 rewards, there’s a lightbulb moment. This moment is one that most trainers live for, and it never fails to give me goosebumps. Suddenly, the dog realizes that his behavior is controlling my behavior. Lying down turns me into a human Pez dispenser, making delicious treats rain down like manna from heaven. Once the dog’s figured out the game, I can quickly put his down behavior on cue so that he’ll do it when I ask. Of course, just because a dog will lie down on cue at home office doesn’t mean he’ll be able to do so in the backyard, or the pet store. We’ll need to practice the behavior in each of these locations separately, but once we’ve got the behavior on cue we’re well on our way to having a solid down in any location.

Why Does My Dog Jump on People?

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Published by Alpha Dog Training https://alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 Jumping is one of the most common dog behavior problems we address at Alpha Dog Training. A dog who jumps up on people is rarely welcome at human social functions. Not only is it considered impolite, but jumping can be scary for people who are not comfortable with dogs. There are many reasons why dogs jump up, and it’s helpful to know that this is a normal canine behavior. Dogs who are not actively taught not to jump will put their paws on people, not because they’re bad dogs, but simply because they don’t understand that there are other ways to greet people they’re meeting. For most dogs, jumping begins early in life. Tiny puppies jump up to lick and sniff at adult dogs’ faces. Jumping up on other dogs is a normal greeting ritual for puppies, and as the puppies mature they no longer need to jump to sniff noses and breath, and thus naturally stop doing this. Puppies who are well-socialized to adult dogs tend to grow out of this behavior quickly, and no longer jump on other dogs except in play by the time they’re 4-6 months old. Of course, puppies don’t just jump on other dogs. They also jump on people. Unfortunately, most people then proceed to pet, talk to, or play with the puppy, thus reinforcing the jumping. It’s always a good rule not to encourage your puppy to do anything you don’t wish him to do as an adult. Sometimes we also unintentionally reward jumping. For many dogs, negative attention is still preferable to no attention at all, and these dogs will frequently learn that jumping up is a great way to get attention. In this case, the more you yell at your dog and push him down, the more attention you’re giving him and the more likely he is to jump up. Once your dog is no longer getting rewarded for jumping or getting the chance to practice jumping, you can teach him what you’d like him to do instead. This is an important step, because dogs do best if we can tell them what to do rather than just what not to do. Many people teach their dogs to sit before greeting others, and this can be one great option. Active dogs may also do well if they’re taught to go fetch a toy or to perform some other behavior that allows them to release some of their excited energy.