Do You Think You Need To Train Your Dog.....? Absolutely!

It is incredibly important to spend some time and effort, in at least basic training and socialisation of your pooch... Whether you decide to do it yourself, attend a group school or bring in a professional, you will be well rewarded in the ownership of a calm, relaxed and well behaved pet. From 8 to 12 weeks of age is the most important time to educate and socialise your puppy but having said that, no matter how young or old, or what breed your dog is it can be trained successfully.

Hi, I’m Ursula, founder and dog trainer at Melbourne’s �Love Your Pet�. I have had 16 years experience looking after not only pets but their owners to help with lifestyle and time management. They come to me for pet minding, dog grooming, dog walking and training so I have seen every behaviour and pet parent relationship imaginable and I can honestly say, some of the most hyped, anxious and difficult pets I have come across are also the most loved and spoilt. On the other hand there are those pets which are left lonely and ignored in the back yard without enough interaction to learn appropriate behaviour. This leads me to quote dog behaviourist Victoria Stilwell, �.....training is 80% owners and 20% dog�.

You, Your Pet and Behavioural Problems...
So often I note that a dog’s improper behaviour stems directly from an owner giving confusing signals and/or not taking enough control. Even a pet which has unfortunately been previously abused or has experienced trauma of some sort will likely respond and rehabilitate more quickly with confident direction and learning experiences as opposed to simply doting on and overprotecting it.

Apart from nurturing and loving their pet, pet parents should learn to be comfortable with displaying authority and using discipline to create balanced behaviour (just as parents in the animal world do). Ideally you wish to create a relationship where the dog is attentive and respectful of your commands... as well as being totally in love with you! Perhaps you will find yourself loving your dog even more if it is not frustrating you by never doing what it’s told, barking incessantly, jumping up on you and your guests, destroying the garden or pulling on the lead! Control and discipline actually reassures your pet that they can depend on you rather than them trying to take the lead

Pointers on Dog Aggression...
To qualify, I am not referring to dangerous dogs, but where a bit of growling, yapping or lunging is displayed. Such as where an owner does not offer confident leadership or direction, a dog’s own natural instinct to lead may surface and dominant behaviour may result, inappropriately displayed as aggression.

A dog might also show aggression in a show of protection for an owner who is not confident or in charge, particularly when they are on a leash.

Not all dogs are natural leaders and aggressive behaviour can even arise from your dog feeling intimidated or fearful � in this instance their body language will actually be timid, for example they will be backing off despite acting tough. This behaviour might result from being overly protected by anxious owners in social situations.

Be Consistent and Repetitive in Your Endeavours...
As with humans our four legged friends will find it easier to adhere to their new training with repetition. Anything you and your dog learn must be repeated at every opportunity and in a consistent manner to avoid the dog being confused. This means that everyone in the family should use the same methodology in their interaction with the pet. Even guests and friends should be offered some basic tips if interacting with your pet, particularly when it is still in early stages of training. Can’t stress enough how important repetition and consistency are.

Invest in Yourself and Some Know How...
This means taking the time to learn the �hows’ of training. I have witnessed over and over again that it is often not the dog but the owners who need training in the form of guidance, information and technique.

SELF HELP: For no or very low cost there is a wealth of information in books, videos, the internet and Foxtel. Gurus, Victoria Stilwell and �dog whisperer� Caesar Milan are two of my favourites. You need to be self motivated, plus carrying out the instructions could not only be a challenge but frustrating and detrimental to the success of beginners.

PUPPY SCHOOL: Courses designed to teach your puppy (and your family!) how to behave around other dogs and people. Usually runs for approximately five weeks with dogs of the same age.

GROUP CLASSES: The learning, bonding and fun will have positive benefits and are cost effective. If you have a good relationship with your dog and no real behavioural issues, group classes will create positive re-enforcement.

ONE ON ONE: Both you and your dog are individuals. Environment, temperaments, personalities and lifestyles all play a part in the behaviour and relationship of you, your family and your pet - a trainer can be circumspect when it comes to training, recommendations and methods - particularly with problem solving and behavioural issues. A trainer is also likely to have a longer lasting effect on the due diligence of the owner, particularly where there is back-end support offered.

Love Your Pet, Melbourne...
Ursula at �Love Your Pet� recognises that dogs’ minds differ and owners are all different so varied techniques are drawn upon to enable the best results. It’s also important for a trainer to motivate owners to carry on with their dog’s education - unless the owner is motivated to work with their dog, bad behaviours can creep back in. That’s why �Love Your Pet� Melbourne offers free ongoing support post training to encourage pet parents’ successful relationship with their dog.

Guarantee...
Should pre-discussed results not be achieved, Love Your Pet offers a money back guarantee or further training and support to meet client satisfaction.
�I always feel happy and hugely rewarded when I see how delighted, relieved and sometimes even joyful owners are at the difference just a one hour training session can make!� Ursula