Honey, The Dog Just Bit The Mail Carrier… Or Train Your Dog To Avoid Lawsuits (Part 2)

Well, for starters, every dog should learn the “NO” command. This simple one word command is precise and definite in its meaning. It tells the animal to stop whatever it is doing and instead give you full and complete attention. This command should be trained consistently and often. If the animal is trying to chase a cat, loudly and clearly say “NO” and restrain the animal. If the dog is jumping up, again utter “NO” and perhaps a light swat to the nose as reinforcement of the command. This simple command will stop most behaviors once it is learned.

A similar command is “Leave It” and is taught in much the same way. For training in this command, let the dog approach the forbidden object of its attention and then pull the leash taut and pronounce, “Leave it”. After a few moments, the dog will give up and return to you after which it should be rewarded generously. By doing this, the dog learns that no matter what temptation is presented; your reward for leaving it will be much greater.

A third lawsuit preventing command is “Down” and is one that many dog owners have a lot of trouble with. A dog’s natural instinct is to jump up and greet someone. While this is cute in the puppy stage a one hundred pound adult dog can knock you to the ground and, for a stranger, be quite a frightening experience. Your dog can be taught to stay down by starting when they are pups to curb the jumping behavior by ignoring them when they jump and rewarding them when they sit calmly. To break the habit in older dogs, you may have to resort to more strenuous enforcements such as a squirt of water when they jump up or even an electrical collar.

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