Introduction to Training

When training, you must always remember that each dog has his own level of understanding. All dogs will try to please their masters if the master is kind, but they may not understand you for an amount of time, or they may understand you right away. Never yell at, kick, hit, or any other way abuse your dog, no matter what they've done; instead, if they refuse to do what you've asked them and already know how to do it, grab them at the back of the neck, in the middle, and dig your fingers, not your fingernails, into the dog's neck. This stimulates a bite; dogs then understand that you are saying, "I'm boss, so get this done, or else." If your dog refuses to respond, you could use a choker chain. If you jerk on this to tighten the chain, it will get your dog's attention, and they may obey. Or you can flick them hard on the lip, a soft place. One way or the other, be sure to make your dog do what you've asked until they do it properly, or they will build up a resistance to you. And when you are training, always praise a futile attempt to do the trick. I like to praise on levels. If the dog does the trick absolutely right, praise them as much as you can, give them a treat. If they don't do it very well, and they are just learning, praise them some, give them a treat. The dog will soon realize that if they do the trick well, their master is happy, and if they do not do the trick well, they still get praised, but they can feel the unhappiness. This is how I do it, and this is how I suggest you do it.