Hands up all those folks who have disobedient dogs?! I guess you’ll be looking for some help on how to train your naughty pooch, or maybe you’ve tried and he just doesn’t get it. Well, guess what, your dog does not understand a word you’re saying to him … unless of course you have a particularly dominant dog showing you the paw sign “Make me!”
And no, Poopsy doesn’t know he’s done wrong either. Oh yes, he always looks apologetic and very sorry for himself when you’re cross but he’s associating your response with unpleasant consequences.

He’s probably anticipating a flying lesson or a drilling down which, face it, is an expected reaction to a leather shredded couch or severed TV cable. Also your disobedient dog is not stupid and knows danger when he’s looking it in the face. He really has no idea it was his ‘poor judgement’ on your irreplaceable, rare silk on silk Qom given to your ancestors by the King of Siam!

Because, to mister disobedient, your precious heirloom is just another non-flush toilet, conveniently placed for his disposal. And when he sees your unfavourable reaction, he associates it with pain and suffering so it’s not surprising he’ll bow and scrape and grovel to get outta there alive!

Disobedient dogs need to be taught the meaning of words

Imagine you get home and find your 14th century Ming vase in bits and there’s the artist with a grin on his face proudly showing off his handiwork. So you take a deep breath and start tutoring him, “You’ve been a very naughty boy, and if you ever do this again, I’m going to put you in the car and take you to the SPCA and leave you there for cat food!” And how does little home wrecker respond? - he jumps up and down for joy! Why?
Because this is what he’s heard you say. “Yakedy, yakedy, yakety yak CAR yakety, yakety, yakety-jak! He has learned the word ‘car’ probably by osmosis and associates it with a good time.
Put simply, dogs must be taught the meaning of words if they are to be obedient.
In order to train your pup or dog to come when it’s called you must first teach it to recognise the word ‘come’, and secondly to associate it with pleasure.

How to train:

• Arm yourself with treats, have Fluffy at your side and say clearly, “Fluffy come”, and treat immediately.
• Repeat the procedure about two dozen times until Fluffy starts associating the words with a treat.
• Then wait till Fluffy is few paces away and repeat the whole procedure.
• Very soon Fluffy will be flying to you from anywhere to receive his treat!
• It’s called conditioning … make it worthwhile and it works on kids too!