WHAT THEY NEED
What canines need to be happy.
Listed from most important to least
1. LOVE
2. Purpose
3. exercise
4. food and water
If any of the above is lacking or missing, the dog is not getting the best he or she needs.
1. Love the most fundamental aspect when it comes to teaching. You must love them and they must love you. What you do for the canine is for his or her well being. Hugs and kisses are a good start but that is not love at its best, love comes in the form of understanding, watching and learning about your dogs needs and wants. Dogs communicate and you must read them. It does not take that long for you and your dog to build a form of communication.
2. Purpose, Just like us, dogs need a purpose and even small toy sized dogs have one. Companionship is an important purpose but finding what they are good at and encouraging it is much better. Some dog love to pull, so get them to pull. Some like to jump, so get them to jump. All of them like to run so get them to run. Doing any of these daily for the first 3 years of their lives is paramount. Just like human children the time flies and before you know it you want their puppy energy back so enjoy the 3 years. If you can get you dog to do a job like plowing or trails do it.
3. Exercise, exercise is combined with purpose. If you cannot find a purpose (or should I say job) for your dog than just exercise them. Going uphill, tethering, obstacle course and/or Frisbee skills will suffices 4. Food and water are the last but as you know important. Food will determine their look and energy. Choose wisely.
Transitions in learning: Physical to Verbal then to Non-Verbal
Dogs are physical beings, they communicate with touch and nips.
1. In order to transition away from their way of communicating you must first communicate the way they do.
2. PHYSICAL touch is what is needed to convey any message when you first start with any dog.
3. After a physical touch should come a VERBAL command/positive reinforcement (good boy, outstanding).
4. After multiple successful attempts you can transition away from the physical and continue with the VERBAL.
5. Verbal commands should only be repeated twice. After the second call if there is no response revert back to the PHYSICAL.
6. After the VERBAL is mastered you can transition to NON-VERBAL commands that include hand gestures and body language.
This is the key to a true HUMAN DOG.