Dogs do things we would prefer they didn’t. That’s just a fact of life. But rather than say “NO!”, we could just interrupt them and show them something else to do. It’s like saying “excuse me”, except for dogs!

Training our dogs is important. But maybe more important is how we manage them. Sometimes management is needed while we train and other management is a lifelong project. But it’s all to make our dogs, and ourselves, successful.

While debates rage on whether or not using positive training with your dog is a good idea or not, those of us who use it every day are enjoying what it brings to our lives. Dog training is not all about serious obedience and performance, after all!

People think of small dogs as cute and cuddly and adorable. Also badly behaved, yappy, and ill-mannered. Why do we have such contradictory opinions of small dogs? If we look beyond the dog, we may find the answers with the owner!

We have all seen those marvelous, wonderful dogs at the movies or in books. The ones who are the heroes. The ones who always obey their owners. The ones who are never the “bad dog.” We all sometimes wish we had THAT dog. The truth is, we probably do. We just have to see their potential and work with them a little each day.

Keeping our dog interested in training can mean offering up some interesting rewards for their good behaviours. But what if those rewards are so distracting that your dog isn’t really learning much? Balancing your dogs motivation and distraction can be the key to helping them learn effectively.

Part of training your dog is teaching them a cue or command for their behaviours. You would think that it’s a relatively uncomplicated thing to put a name or signal on something like “Sit” or “Down.” In practice, it’s more complex than you might realize.

How can dogs be stupid and smart at the same time? How can they have less intelligence than humans and still control our households? For all our intelligence, we humans certainly find our reasons to claim to be both inferior and superior to our canine companions when it suits us.

It’s funny how people will prepare themselves for months, even years before bringing a new child into their lives but can stop by the shelter on a random Saturday and pick up a new dog. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that caring for a dog is anywhere near as complex as raising a child. But owning and caring for a dog is not the same as picking up a new refrigerator either.