A dog that reaches out to to lunge at passing cars is midway through a dangerous vice. In fact, this “hobby” could result to you, the dog or both of you figuring in an accident. The best situation is where the dog is corrected, or shown that this behavior is something undesirable. Below are tips you can use to show the dog that it could do better in its behavior Puppy obedience classes Houston.
If you are new to this specific concern in Labrador Retriever Training, focus on the dog’s basic obedience. Next, bring the dog to a public sidewalk, like one near Petsmart since it is alright to bring dogs there.
Work out related lessons, like sit-stays and heels. Throw a party if the dog gets it right, so it knows it is on the right track. Wait for cars to go by to get a chance to give an opportune correction. Your conversation with your dog will thus go something like this: “Dutch, heel. Good girl! Sit? good dog”. Car approaches, Dutch lunges, meaningful leash correction along with a “NO!” or “Leave it!” Dog stops lunging. “Sit! Good boy!”.
You may need to do this several times for things to sink in. You will also have to make it a point to praise the dog if it responds to correction. Soon, the dog will caught on the difference between correction and praise, and will want to avoid doing the former in order to get more of the latter.
Let’s have a closer look at the correction process itself. Every time the dog lunges at cars, call out firmly but not in anger, “Leave it!” The snap the leash. Note that a hard snap is not like just a forceful snap of the leash. When the dog stops lunging, your correction has taken effect.
If the correction does not work, the next Labrador Retriever Training step is to do the command plus correction again, with more firmness this time. In case the dog yelps, this indicates you’ve gotten right this time your latest leash snap. At most, you will normally need only less than three or four leash snaps to get your point across to the dog.
Lastly, do not forget the importance of prompt corrections so that the dog sees which of its actions result to a correction. Remember also to praise the dog just as promptly when it quits the unwanted behavior.