Spring is here which means more time outside for us and our furry companions! We love being able to explore the community with our dogs. We have teamed up with Larry Neilson again this year for more tips on being a responsible dog owner with a well-behaved Canine Citizen.
Larry is the founder, head-trainer and behaviour specialist for Konfident Kanines, a dog training company here in Calgary. He has over 30 years of experience working with dogs and studying their behaviour. He is a Certified Dog Trainer with extensive experience working with canines of all breeds and behavioral issues.
Whether you have a well-trained dog already and just want to brush up on some tips or your pup could use some help, Larry is sharing tips on how to have a responsible canine citizen (a well behaved dog) and be a more responsible dog owner.
Backyard Barking:
- Don’t run out and yell at your dog if he is barking in the backyard. Reinforcing the behaviour by “barking” at him doesn’t help him learn his behaviour is wrong. Always reward the behaviour you want – stand back, wait for the other dog to pass and pet or treat your dog if they stay quiet.
Pathway Etiquette:
- Stay on the righthand side of the pathway to make it easier for people to pass by.
- Do not feel obligated to allow your dogs to say hi
- Train your dog to sit when you’re meeting other people on the pathway
Approaching Other Dogs & People:
- Don’t let other people walk straight up to your dog, especially if they have never met the person before.
- Make eye contact with the dog, take off your sunglasses if you’re wearing them.
- If you’re saying hi, don’t automatically stick out your hand to pet them; they could take that as an aggressive movement.
Watch the video where Larry shares his tips for how to be a responsible dog owner in your community and teach your dog to be a well-behaved furry companion when you’re out and about.
If you missed Part 1, click here to watch Larry’s four fundamentals to training a dog and the equipment you’ll need to get started including poop bags, collar and leash options and how to choose one that is right for your dog.
