What Kind Of Self Control Does Your Dog Display?

     If your dog is difficult to control at the vet or when getting groomed, there may be a self control issue that you need to deal with. There are a number of factors that play a role in whether or not your dog needs self control training. If your dog pulls on the leash when joggers approach on walks or when he sees another dog, he needs self control training.

When you begin giving your dog self control training, you want to remember to train and not restrain. If you constantly have a tight grip on the leash or collar, all you are doing is showing that you have control over them. Instead, you want to give your dog a simple command, like sit or lye. If need be you can tighten the grip on the leash momentarily, but loosen the leash rather quickly.

The best way to have an effect on your dog is to watch your actions when teaching them self control. Make sure that you walk slowly and talk quietly so that you are not overexciting the dog. From the dog's point of view, he sees it as you being excited when you raise your voice or quickly grab at the leash. By talking quietly and using slow motions, you are showing the dog that you are in control of the situation.

Now if your dog is extremely excited, it may be an unreasonable request to get him to lye down. In such a case, you want to compromise and work with your dog to at least get him to sit for a few minutes. You want to make reasonable requests from your dog in order to have success. Certainly you want to show that you have control, but you don't want to completely dominate the dog.

The last thing you want to remember to do when going through self control training is to teach it in all situations. To begin with, you want to go to a discrete area where there are no distractions for your dog. This will help him learn best. But eventually you want to build up to where you are teaching your dog during more exciting situations, such as at a friends home, in parks and at the veterinarian's office.

Much like humans have to learn self control, it is vital that you give your dog self control training. This will allow your dog to be more common in exciting situations and be civil. While it may take time, it is important that you are patient with your dog in order to see results from self control training.