#caninetrainer

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How to Stop Your Dog from Pulling on the Leash: Tips from Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution

Is your dog constantly pulling on the leash during walks? You’re not alone! Leash pulling is a common issue many dog owners face, and it can turn a pleasant stroll into a frustrating experience. Fortunately, renowned dog trainer Zak George offers practical solutions to help your dog walk politely on a leash. In his video, "Stop Leash Pulling," Zak breaks down effective techniques that use positive reinforcement to make walks enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Why Do Dogs Pull on the Leash?

Before diving into the training techniques, it’s essential to understand why dogs pull on the leash in the first place. Dogs naturally walk faster than humans, and they’re often excited to explore the world around them. The more they pull, the quicker they get to sniff and explore new scents, which inadvertently reinforces the behavior. To change this, Zak emphasizes the importance of teaching your dog that walking nicely beside you is far more rewarding than pulling ahead.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Leash Pulling

Zak George’s approach revolves around teaching your dog to stay close to you while making walks engaging and fun. Here are the steps he outlines in his video:

1. Use High-Value Treats

Zak recommends using high-value treats that your dog loves. These treats serve as a powerful motivator and a way to reward good behavior. Make sure the treats are small, easy to eat, and only given during training sessions. The goal is to create a positive association between walking by your side and receiving a reward.

2. Start Training Indoors or in a Low-Distraction Environment

Begin by practicing leash training indoors or in a quiet area with minimal distractions. This allows your dog to focus on you and the training without getting overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the outside world.

3. Reward When Your Dog Walks Beside You

Hold a treat by your side and let your dog sniff it. Start walking, and if your dog stays by your side without pulling, immediately reward them with the treat and praise. This reinforces the behavior of walking close to you.

4. Use a Marker Word or Clicker

Zak emphasizes the importance of using a marker word like "Yes!" or a clicker to signal to your dog that they’re doing the right thing. The marker word or clicker helps your dog understand that they will be rewarded for the desired behavior, creating a positive reinforcement loop.

5. Change Directions When Your Dog Pulls

If your dog starts to pull, Zak suggests changing directions abruptly and calling your dog to follow you. This technique teaches your dog that pulling doesn’t lead them where they want to go and that staying close to you is more rewarding. Repeat this exercise several times until your dog starts paying more attention to your movements.

6. Practice with Patience and Consistency

Consistency is key to any training, and leash training is no exception. Practice these exercises regularly, keeping training sessions short and positive. Over time, your dog will learn that pulling is not rewarded and that staying by your side leads to treats and praise.

Tools Zak Recommends

Zak advises against using tools like choke collars, prong collars, or retractable leashes, as they can cause physical harm and anxiety in dogs. Instead, he suggests using a standard 4-6 foot leash and a comfortable harness that doesn’t put pressure on the dog’s neck.

Understanding Your Dog’s Needs

Remember that training isn’t just about discipline; it’s about understanding your dog’s needs and motivations. Dogs are naturally curious and energetic, and they require both mental and physical stimulation. Zak recommends incorporating sniffing breaks and playtime during walks to keep your dog engaged and satisfied.

Celebrate Small Wins

Training takes time, and it’s important to celebrate small successes. If your dog manages to walk a short distance without pulling, that’s progress! Gradually increase the distance as your dog becomes more comfortable with the new walking routine.

Final Thoughts

Zak George’s training philosophy focuses on creating a positive, trust-based relationship between you and your dog. By using positive reinforcement, patience, and consistency, you can transform your dog’s leash-pulling habit into a pleasant walking experience.

So, the next time you grab the leash for a walk, remember Zak's tips and turn your stroll into a fun and rewarding bonding session with your furry friend!

Check out the full video for more in-depth training techniques: Stop Leash Pulling by Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution.

[new-mind]

More intelligent Dogs are better behaved and more obedient...

Intelligent training can make all the difference when it comes to your pet friend. It turns out that canines who are more intellectual than their less intelligent counterparts tend to behave better and be more obedient. Because smart dogs pick up commands more quickly and efficiently, training sessions are more effective and efficient.

How can you Dramatically improve your dog's obedience ?

In fact, studies have shown that canines with higher IQs are less prone to engage in problematic behaviours such excessive barking, gnawing, and digging. Additionally, they can be easier to live with and travel with because they are better at adjusting to new circumstances and places.

How you can Eliminate troublesome behavior like barking, chewing or reactivity ?

Choosing a breed with greater intelligence levels can have a significant impact on your training and overall experience if you're looking for a new furry friend. Golden retrievers, German shepherds, Poodles, and Border Collies are some of the most well-known breeds of clever dogs.

Have your dog effortlessly sit, lie down, stay, heel, drop and walk by your side ?

Always keep in mind that a happy dog is a well-trained dog, and investing in your dog's intelligence through training and breed selection will result in a more rewarding and enjoyable relationship for both you and your canine friend.

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Tweeted

Participants needed for online survey! Topic: "Does owner personality affect canine trainability" https://t.co/1AOXVk5m7n via @SurveyCircle #canine #questionnaire #personality #dissertation #CanineTraining #survey #surveycircle https://t.co/VQqcR1zl94

— Daily Research @SurveyCircle (@daily_research) Mar 9, 2023

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[doggiedayoutnc]

Courses Avail Online

1. The Science of Animal Behavior: Dog Behavior & Training Course - Coursera

Description: This course, offered by the University of Edinburgh, covers the science behind animal behavior with a focus on dog behavior and training techniques. It provides a comprehensive understanding of canine psychology, how dogs learn, and how to manage common behavioral issues.

Format: Online, self-paced

Duration: Approximately 7 weeks

Cost: Free to audit; certificate available for a fee

Link: Coursera - The Science of Animal Behavior

2. Dog Emotion and Cognition - Coursera

Description: Offered by Duke University and taught by Dr. Brian Hare, a leading expert in dog cognition, this course dives into how dogs think, how they learn, and how they solve problems. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to understand dog behavior on a deeper level.

Format: Online, self-paced

Duration: Approximately 8 hours

Cost: Free to audit; certificate available for a fee

Link: Coursera - Dog Emotion and Cognition

3. Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior - Foundations Course

Description: This course by celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell is ideal for beginners who want to learn the basics of positive reinforcement training. It covers canine communication, learning theory, and basic obedience training.

Format: Online, with video lessons and interactive assignments

Duration: Self-paced, typically completed in a few weeks

Cost: Paid

Link: Victoria Stilwell Academy

4. Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations Course

Description: This introductory course focuses on positive reinforcement and clicker training. It’s designed for both beginners and those looking to refine their dog training skills. The course covers foundational training techniques, behavior analysis, and training exercises.

Format: Online, self-paced

Duration: Typically 6 weeks

Cost: Paid

Link: Karen Pryor Academy

5. Udemy Courses on Dog Behavior and Training

Description: Udemy offers a variety of dog behavior and training courses, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Topics include understanding dog psychology, solving behavioral problems, and advanced obedience training. The platform frequently offers discounts on courses.

Format: Online, video-based

Duration: Varies by course

Cost: Typically between $10 to $50, depending on discounts

Link: Udemy Dog Behavior and Training Courses

6. International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) Dog Trainer Certification Program

Description: For those interested in professional certification, IACP offers a comprehensive program covering canine behavior, training techniques, and ethics. It’s ideal for anyone looking to become a certified dog trainer.

Format: Online with some in-person components

Duration: Varies

Cost: Paid (varies by level)

Link: IACP Dog Trainer Certification

[stormytala]

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Dog Training Methods to Avoid

A well trained dog is  happier and safer, but also easier to keep healthy, because he or she will be easier to handle when its time for regular parasite control or a visit to the vet. Unfortunately a poorly trained dog can be a danger to himself and others, so bad dog training techniques should be avoided. There are various levels of bad dog training, but the worst are those that use physical abuse or punishment. This is both cruel and ineffective, and so you should never allow anyone to try and use these sorts of methods with your dog. The goal of dog obedience training is to establish a positive, loving relationship with your dog so physical punishment is NOT how to do it.

Another dog training method to avoid is having only one person in the household taking responsibility for training the dog, either because they think they should be the only one training the dog, or because no one else wants to train the  dog. If you have a multi-person household and are serious about training your dog then this just doesn't work.

If only one person has responsibility for training a dog, no matter how great their training skills are, this makes it hard for the dog to listen to everybody else. The dog will realize that it needs to behave around one person, but know or think it can get away with bad doggy behavior in front of the others. A good example of this is when dogs jump on people. This is not good dog behavior and one person could be training them to stop this but at the same time, someone else in the house thinks it’s cute and rewards them with attention.

Another bad dog training method is having no method at all, and just "following your gut". Unfortunately dogs are complex animals and sometimes you may inadvertently be re-enforcing bad behavior.

[longandlowx4]

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[riyotheweird-blog]

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