And so it begins....

Hello PACmembers....

Let me start off by saying I sincerely apologize for getting started with this training program behind schedule. With the holiday weekend behind us now...it is time to get down to business.

I want you to start by forgetting everything your dog has ever done, and give your dog a clean slate. I can assure you that the majority of your dogs mistakes, in one way or another, were caused by you. So since you are starting over with your training (or just beginning) let your dog start over too.

There are three keys to achieving a well behaved dog.

1) EXERCISE - This can easily be achieved by bringing your dog to the PAC 3-5 times per week. Check out our website (www.petathleticclub.com) to learn more about PACtivity (Daycare). If you can not bring your dog in then it is up to you to achieve the exercise. Check out http://www.petathleticclub.com/training/exercise.shtm to learn how to exercise your dog properly.

2) OBEDIENCE - This is what you will learn in the program. Obedience is about communication. If we can communicate with our dogs as to what we want done, and then offer some motivation, the dog will execute our request.

3) CARE - This key includes love & affection, grooming, shelter, food, water, etc...basically all of you dogs basic needs.

Achieve these three things, with the right balance, and you will have the dog you have always dreamed of.

For the next few weeks we will be focusing on obedience. Some of CARE will be covered in the process as well. Alright, lets get started.

The most important thing in training a dog is teaching him what is right. We spend most of our time correcting our dogs when they do something wrong, and so this is when they are getting all of our attention. Basically the opposite of what we should be doing. Think about it this way. The list of things the dog can do wrong is endless. He can pee on the carpet, chew a table leg, dig a whole, chew a child's toy, jump on you, bark at you, nip your clothes, climb on the furniture, dig at the carpet, pull on the leash, chew up a book...I can go on and on and on and on.

The list of things we WANT our dog to do is pretty short in the scheme of things. We want him to sit when greeted, chew only on his own toys, walk nicely by our side, come when called, and lay nicely at our feet when we want to relax. That is it. If your dog is always doing one of the positive behaviors he can not perform the negative behaviors at the same time. You'll learn why this is so important over the course of this week.

So, how do we achieve these positive behaviors? Well, it is easy and fun for both you and the dog. I want you to select a motivational training treat, and cut it into pieces about the size of your pinkie nail. Smaller if you have a smaller dog. The treats should be soft, small, and very flavorful. No kibble, no milk bones, or anything else that takes long to chew or is particularly bland. Take about 30 of these tiny treats and put them in a Ziploc bag and put them in your pocket.

Over the next 7 days, every time your dog performs a positive behavior on his own I want you to reward him. Every time your dog performs a behavior that you would like to see again, reward that behavior. It is important to reward the behavior at the exact moment he performs it...not before...not after...it must be right at that moment. Timing is key.

Here are a few examples...

If you are in the kitchen cooking and the dog walks into the room and sits down quietly...reward that behavior. If you walk into the room and find your dog chewing on a toy that belongs to him...reward that behavior. If you come home from work and the dog greets you calmly...reward that behavior. Reward any behavior that you would like to see again....no matter how small the behavior maybe...if you want to see it again, you must reward it.

Remember this rule, DOGS DO WHAT WORKS!

Everything your dog does is motivated by something. When you start actively motivating him to demonstrate the behavior you want to see your dog will be better behaved. Over the course of this week you are going to see a huge increase in the number of positive behaviors your dog demonstrates and a huge decrease in the negative ones. Remember, they can't do them both at the same time.

The two main things I want you to take away from today's lesson are 1) DOGS DO WHAT WORKS! 2) For the next 7 days reward all the good behavior your dog demonstrates. Reward anything you want to see again. Reread today's lesson a few times. Although it seems simple, this is one of the pillars of training.

Feel free to leave questions in the comments section. I will check in through out the day to answer them.

Until tomorrow...

Good Luck and have a great day...your dog is!

www.petathleticclub.com