by Melanie Cossey

Created on: April 05, 2011   Last Updated: April 06, 2011

Dogs live in the moment. They have very little grasp of the passage of time and will not be able to psychologically take ownership of something they did if it is too far removed from the present moment. This is an important concept to consider when trying to correct unwanted behaviours. The most effective training takes place when you can correct an unwanted behaviour, either as it is happening or immediately afterwards. Getting to a scene of a crime and then trying to reprimand your dog is utterly useless. If he cowers or shakes, he is most likely responding to the tone of your voice than anything he remembers doing and has guilt over.

Besides the fact that a dog may not remember doing anything, yelling at your dog after the fact for something he did does not teach him an acceptable alternate behaviour. You need to be active in the event in order to effectively administer correction.

Tether method

One of the best ways to stay present with your dog and correct unwanted behaviours is to tether your dog to you as you go about your routine. Taking a longer leash, loop it around your waste and fasten one end to your dog's collar. This is a great training method for behaviours such as jumping on the furniture, chasing the cat, random barking or stealing food from the table or counters. Walk around the house with your dog and lead him by the temptation. It may take a while for your dog to get relaxed with the leash enough to engage in his behavioural problem so be patient. When your dog starts to go for the furniture, cat or food, yank him back using the leash and say a one word command such as “off.” At the completion of the action, immediately praise the dog and give him a treat. Repeat this process as much as possible until the unwanted behaviour ceases. The tether method is also good for teaching your dog to pay attention to where you walk and respect you as the Alpha dog.

I Spy

Another method for correcting unwanted behaviour in the moment is to hide from view and then appear and correct your dog the moment he acts up. This is best suited for dogs who are sneaky in their tactics. You may have to set the bait and put food out on the counter and wait a while. When you see or hear the dog begin to engage in the behaviour, appear and with a firm voice, tell the dog “off!” When the dog obeys, then reward him with a treat. Repeat this method until the dog begins to associate the correction with the behaviour and the praise and treat as a reward for obeying.

Of course there will be times when you must go out and leave the dog alone and these are the times when he is most likely to engage in the unwanted behaviours. It is best that you minimize the opportunity he has to do damage to your home and environment because you will not be there to correct the behaviour in the moment. Crate your dog when left unattended. This will help you avoid situations that you cannot control.

Timing not only applies to correcting your dog but also rewarding him, which is a valuable part of the training. Be mindful that timing applies to all aspects and you will quickly be able to overcome challenges and have a better behaved dog.

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