Training for Good Manners
Chapters 12 and 13 explain how to take basic training to the next levels — more advanced training and activities you can do together. Some people really get into training and want to challenge themselves and their dogs to do everything from walking nicely by their side to high-speed agility to amazing pet therapy.
Dogs who end up in shelters are there not because they weren't loved by their owners, but often because their behavior became uncontrollable. Don't let this happen to you! Training is easy and fun and so rewarding for both of you. Start early and keep it up to enjoy a great relationship with your dog for many years.
This chapter deals with what the majority of dog owners are interested in: training for good household manners. What does that mean? It means a dog who listens and responds to your requests. It means sharing your home with a dog who respects the house rules — just as your children or guests do. It means teaching your dog what you expect from him, as it is unfair to think that because you love him and he loves you that he will simply do what you want him to do.
Good manners start with a thorough understanding of the basics: sit, stay, down, and come. They grow to include requests like heel (walk nicely by my side) and household manners requests like off, drop it, quiet, and wait. This chapter will guide you through the basics and give you examples of how to use the requests around your house to enforce (and reward) good manners (behavior).
