Train your dog to walk off-lead

Walking a dog is a pleasant and healthy activity for both the animal and the pet owner. Training a dog to walk off-lead can make this an even more enjoyable activity by allowing the pet more freedom and exercise. There are a few important steps needed to teach a dog to be off-lead and ensure its safety. 

Before beginning training without a lead, it is vital that the dog be familiar with a few basic commands. It should be trained to come when called to help prevent it from running off and injuring itself or bystanders. A dog should also be used to wearing a lead as well as either a collar or harness. 

Once the dog is ready, one can begin training it to walk properly on a lead. Using an adjustable lead will make the training process much simpler. When beginning training, the lead should be on its shortest setting to provide the pet owner with maximum control. The command “heel” should be used frequently throughout the training process. Most dogs will soon learn to walk along without lunging or pulling. At this stage, the dog should be exposed to an array of potentially distracting or frightening objects and situations. Exposure to people, other dogs, cars, equipment and other such things will teach the animal not to be afraid and that the rules apply in all environments. 

As the dog’s “walking manners” improve, the lead can gradually be lengthened. If at any time the animal returns to its previous bad habits, the lead should be shortened to the previous setting. The commands “heel” and “come” should also be reviewed. 

When the pet is walking without any problems on the longest setting, it is time to practice without the lead. Take it to a safe, enclosed area to practice, such as a dog park or enclosed yard. Remove the lead and allow the dog to explore. At first only allow the exploration to continue for a short time before calling the dog back. Praise and reward the dog when it returns. If it does not return, do not hit the dog when it’s caught, as this will just encourage it to run. One can gradually allow the dog to roam further and for longer periods of time as it learns. 

Scotch LeSamoyed    

How to Stop Your Dog Barking

Just as a mum becomes a little embarrassed when her child decides to throw a temper tantrum in the presence of strangers, pet owners can suffer a bit of mortification when their dog always greets visitors with a frenzy of barking, especially if good friends or neighbors are involved. Truthfully, although barking is instinctive, it is also a learned behavior that can be redirected when owners take the time and effort to retrain their otherwise lovable canine.

Take Time for Friends  

Your protective friend barks for a variety of reasons, and some are good, but to prevent barking at inappropriate times, the dog will need some socialization with frequent visitors. Pet owners should take the time to slowly introduce friends and relatives who will be entering the house periodically. You should also give your best friend time to adjust to neighbors, children playing on bikes or scooters, and delivery men. Always keep your dog on a leash during a first introduction. Let the visitor share a treat, and let your dog get a good scent. As the relationship progresses, the visitor may progress to gentle petting until your dog appears comfortable enough to be unleashed. Once the he or she doesn't feel threatened, it's time to move to the actual training procedure.

Hush Puppy  

Although there are many options for teaching a dog to stop barking when someone knocks on the door or passes in the street, most owners prefer the gentlest method possible. The following method works for most breeds:

• Use a single word to give the command to cease barking. This might be “hush,” “quiet,” or “silent,” but it should not be a command that is used for other directions.
• With the dog on a leash, have a friend come to the door. If barking begins, firmly use the word while giving a pull on the leash low to the floor.
• Praise the dog if it stops barking, using the same words that are always used when it has performed well. It may be best not to give a doggy treat because this could lead to the dog barking just to get the treat for stopping the behavior.
• Repeatedly performing this maneuver may be all that is necessary for some dogs to get the idea that barking at certain times is not appropriate.  

Repetition is the key and with incremental improvements your dog will be quetly greeting you and your friends in no time.  

Puppy Socialisation

Socialisation is just another way of talking about your dog learning how to be a dog. It’s a bit like raising a human child. Humans have to know certain things to get along in society – manners, how to meet new people, how to handle new experiences. Dogs need the same kind of training.

Mum starts the job of teaching a puppy how to behave, but once she’s out of the picture humans have to take over. If it’s done right, you end up with a polite dog that is easy to be around. If not, then you’re in for barking, torn-up furniture, pulling at the lead – even biting. But getting it right isn’t hard.

Socialisation occurs within the first 16 weeks of a dog’s life. During this time a puppy needs to encounter new sights, sounds and smells in order to learn what they mean and how to react to them. Every new experience is an education, whether it’s meeting another puppy or hearing a loud noise.

Dogs are social animals. They enjoy being around humans and around other dogs. Use this natural tendency to get the behaviour you want. Never punish a dog for not getting along with others. Just remove him from the situation. He’ll soon learn that if he doesn’t play nicely, he doesn’t get to play at all.

Stay calm. Your puppy looks to you for guidance. If you are nervous, your dog will be, too. If things go wrong in a play session with other dogs, don’t panic. Just take him for a walk to calm down. Walking is also a good way to burn off excess energy.

Play is excellent training. Use different types of toys. Handle your puppy during playtime, so he gets used to human contact.

Let him explore the house or garden on his own. This will give him the confidence he needs to be a happy dog later on.

At first, introduce your puppy to strange dogs in a controlled environment, such as a dog park or care facility. Avoid distractions such as traffic, crowds or loud noises. After he’s used to meeting new dogs and new people, try taking walks in busier areas where he will meet even more dogs and their humans.

Children don’t behave well if they don’t know what’s expected of them. It’s the same for pups. If you take the time and effort in these first few months, you’ll end up with a dog that is calm, happy and a pleasure to be around.

Communicate with your dog like Dr Dolittle

Even if he's small enough to fit in a handbag, the friendly household pet dog you know and love has a mighty wolf pack in his ancestry. Dogs never entirely lose their affinity for the pack. Understanding social cues is vital for a wolf's survival; your dog has kept his ability to read the pack's emotions from body language and audible feedback. Now that he lives with you, you represent the pack leader and can learn how to communicate with your dog in his own native language.

The Tale of the Tail

Humans' expressive faces communicate volumes of information, but dogs' facial repertoire of emotions is smaller. However, they have a communication device that people don't: a tail. Many dog owners mistake a wagging tail for an unequivocal sign of happiness, but the tail's tale is more complex than that. Wagging can also signify insecurity, a need for reassurance, or indecision.

If the rest of your dog's body expresses a sentence, then the tail is the punctuation. A relaxed body, perky ears, and an elevated wagging tail means "I'm glad to see you." Whole-body wagging with jumping or a few yelps means, "I'm so happy you're home!" A lowered, tucked tail and pinned ears means, "Are you sure this is safe?"

You can't send signals back with your own tail, but you can read your dog's tail and treat him accordingly. Play with him when he holds his tail aloft like a banner and reassure him when his tail is tucked. When he holds his tail parallel to his body in a relaxed, neutral position, he'll be most receptive to a pat or a kind word.

Eye Contact

To a person, prolonged eye contact can be anything from adoring to threatening. For dogs, the signal is less ambiguous: a stare is aggressive to a dog. Pack leaders will stare down animals of lower social status to underscore their own dominance. Knowing this will help you deliver a more emphatic lesson; fix him with a stern look when you correct his behavior and you'll find it more effective than raising your voice.

Watch how your dog watches you. You'll probably notice that he glances at you, then away, then back again rather than maintaining eye contact. Try the same pattern of glancing looks if you want to put him at ease. Your dog will appreciate your courtesy even if he can't tell you so directly.

Body Language

Alpha dogs assert their dominance physically with taps or nips to another dog's shoulders or flanks. While you don't want to nip your dog, you should know that resting your chin on your dog's shoulders or draping an arm over him sends the signal that you are the pack leader. It's an affectionate display of dominance, so your dog may respond with an equally affectionate sign of submission--licking your face.

Rolling onto his back and presenting you with his belly is an invitation to scratch his tummy, but your dog is also showing you how much he trusts you as his alpha dog. It's a vulnerable position that dogs rarely adopt unless they feel comfortable.

Try giving your dog a "play bow" and see how he responds. Dogs and wolves alike use this posture--rump up, front legs stretched out to lower the front half of the body--as an invitation to play. You might feel a bit silly with your tail up and your arms outstretched, but your dog will be charmed at your attempt to speak his language.