Ron Shannon- Trainer
Training is not an approach, but a way of life. If we don’t enforce the rules we want our dog to abide by, they will never follow them no matter how loud we yell. Soft assertive physical corrections go a long way. Wolves play, bite, chase, and jump with other wolves. We need to act as the pack leader and do all of these things with the dog to obtain calm submission.
This all comes down to energy spent. Figure out your dog’s energy clock. How much exercise is required each day to obtain calm submission? Then invent ways of filling that time knowing that you need to work the dog physically and mentally. You can make it fun for both you and the dog. Once you learn to keep it simple, and live in the moment, the closer you will come to achieving your goal.
Walk + Train + Eat + Sleep = BALANCE
These are the four basic elements of training. By providing these needs in the proper way, you can achieve your goal of having a well-balanced, obedient, and most importantly, happy dog.
Walk your dog properly and on a regular basis, it is 90% of all training and the key to obedience.
Take your dog for a minimum of one hour every day, comprised of two 20-45 minute walks - one in the morning and one in the evening. Always walk with your dog beside or behind you, never in front.
Always go first through doors and dark or narrow passages.
Train with energy, structure, and consistency. Obedience should be done 2-3 times a day for ten minutes per session. Providing a calm direct energy is extremely important. Structure and consistency is crucial to all techniques.
Eat - Food needs to be earned and is a natural reward. Feed your dog once in the morning and once in the evening after a walk and structured exercise. Water should be made available at all times unless potty training.
Sleep is important to a dogs well-being. Dogs need a safe quite place to sleep away from distraction. You should always be in a higher position unless you invite the dog.
