How To Become A Dog Trainer
Consider whether you enjoy working with people as well as dogs. Many people get into the profession of dog training without realizing that what dog trainers do is really to train people to train dogs. You must have patience and empathy, and be as good a coach to your human clients (lots of positive reinforcement!) as you are to your dogs. Get an education. There is no degree required to become a dog trainer, but you should attain both "book knowledge" and hands-on experience before offering your services to the public. Read books, attend seminars, watch DVDs. Get hands-on experience by mentoring under another trainer if possible, and volunteer to work at your local shelter or with rescue groups. Shelter/rescue work is a great way to get hands-on experience with dogs of various breeds and temperament.
Train Your Dog Using The M.U.T.T. Method
Does your dog jump, chew, pull on leash, go in the other direction when you call come? Teach your dog obedience and solve behavior problems using the M.U.T.T. Method.
M = Management: A big part of dog ownership is effectively managing your dog’s behavior. Crates, kennels, baby gates, and leashes are some tools to help you manage your dog’s behavior.
U = Underlying: Whenever you are dealing with a behavior problem you have to understand that there is an underlying problem. For instance, if a dog is digging there could be many different underlying reasons for the digging. It could be that the dog is bored, frustrated, hot, or it could be breed specific. Terriers love to dig.
T = Train: You need your dog to understand the basics -- sit, down, stay, walk, and come. Soon, you will be able to control your dog in situations where it might become excitable. In addition to regular obedience training, you'll want to teach your dog that you are the leader. Have your dog work for attention, food, and playing.
T = Time – Realize that any behavior program is going to require time.
Anytime you’re faced with a behavior problem, remember the acronym M.U.T.T. and apply each step. You’ll be happy with the results.
How To Teach Your Dog To Sit
Teaching your dog tricks is not a piece of cake, so you can start off with an easy trick. One of my favorite easy tricks are teaching your dog how to sit! Read on to learn how to teach your playful pup to sit.
1. Stand in front of you dog. Why you ask? Because if you're standing behind your dog they cant see you and it would be very difficult to learn.
2. Hold the treat in the palm of your hand and close your hand. Put your hand near the dogs nose.
3. Take the hand that has the treat inside and slowly move your hand over your pups head and toward his/her tail.
4. Say your dogs name and give him/her the command "sit".
5. Right when your dog sits say "good dog" or "good boy/girl" and give him/her a treat.
6. Praise your dog abundantly and give your pet a treat for any movement that resembles the sit position.
7. Release your dog from the sit position using the words "release" or "free" command.
8. Repeat this trick for about five minutes so your dog can understand and comprehend the trick. After awhile your dog may get bored so do it some more the next day. Your dog will not need to be rewarded after awhile once he learns the command. But still reward he or she every once in awhile.
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