Post by DogGoneGood on Jan 8, 2008 13:47:32 GMT -5
The Six Personalities of Dogs:
Before you begin obedience training you must first recognize and understand what personality your dog has. You can use this personality to your advantage when training, using the proper force of motivation, praise and correction for that specific personality. This will help your dog understand you clearer and also help him learn a lot faster!
1. Fear Biter: A fear biter is often a dog that lacks proper socialization. This is a dog that may show aggression to people when shown fear (this is why it is very important to never be afraid of these dogs!). This dog may only show aggression from afar or do a “nip and run”; where they run at you, usually from your backside, nip at you and then quickly run the other direction. A fear biter should be trained with respect, you should push him fast to keep his brain focused but do NOT push to the point of defensive aggression! You should never use voice or body language to intimidate a fear biter.
2. Aggressive Dog: An aggressive dog shows offensive aggression and thinks he owns the world and will take on anyone at any time. These dogs are very dangerous because they have a full bite (will bite, hold and shake). It’s all about respect when training an aggressive dog and you must first gain his trust and respect. You can accomplish this by pushing him hard and fast. Remember that it is always okay to use proper tools to keep you safe (a muzzle if needed).
3. Hyperactive: At least 50% of all dogs are hyperactive. These dogs are often both overactive physically and mentally. They crave for physical exercise and mental stimulation! Hyperactive can be caused by genetics, but it is most often caused by nutrition. One of the best diets for a hyperactive dog is the “BARF” (Bones And Raw Food) or, Raw diet. When it comes to nutrition, hyperactive is caused by the protein levels in commercial dog food. The protein in a Raw Food Diet is a different type of protein and this is why it is usually best for the hyperactive dog. Remember to study and consult your veterinarian before starting your dog on a Raw diet! If you choose to stick with a commercial dog food brand, check the label. If there is 25% or more protein it is way too much. The ideal amount of protein in a commercial dog food should be at about 22% or 23%. Puppies should not be fed Puppy brand food after 6 months of age because puppy brand foods tend to have way too high of an amount of protein.
To train the hyperactive dog, remember to slow everything down. These dogs tend to make us hyper while training to remember to stay calm. The heel should always be taught first to a hyperactive dog to slow them down. Start it at an incredibly slow pace and make more left turns than right.
4. Happy-Go-Lucky: A happy-go-lucky dog is most often the easiest to train because they are so eager and willing to please humans. However, these dogs tend to not retain training very quickly and easily so repetition is a MUST when training the happy-go-lucky dog!
5. Shy & Under socialized: From seven weeks to sixteen weeks of age is the most important time to socialize and desensitize puppies! Way too many people make the mistake of brining home their new family member before seven weeks of age and most of these people end up with a shy and under socialized dog! During the “Fear and Fright Stage” of the puppy’s life his memory is at his best! If he encounters a scary situation at this age he is bound to remember it forever and will be incredibly hard to train these fears out of him. This is why it is important to properly socialize and introduce him to new environments in a positive manner at this age! Remember that when choosing a puppy the last puppy in the litter to come to you is the most fearful and therefore the last puppy you want!
When training this dog try not to over baby him. He should be gently pushed during training and praised a lot when he overcomes fears and does the desired behavior!
6. Basket Case (Combination): A “basket case” dog is one with multiple personality problems. These dogs should be worked with carefully, and you should always first determine which other personalities are combined. Under socialization is most often the main problem with these dogs.
You must ALWAYS train to the personality of the dog!
Before you begin obedience training you must first recognize and understand what personality your dog has. You can use this personality to your advantage when training, using the proper force of motivation, praise and correction for that specific personality. This will help your dog understand you clearer and also help him learn a lot faster!
1. Fear Biter: A fear biter is often a dog that lacks proper socialization. This is a dog that may show aggression to people when shown fear (this is why it is very important to never be afraid of these dogs!). This dog may only show aggression from afar or do a “nip and run”; where they run at you, usually from your backside, nip at you and then quickly run the other direction. A fear biter should be trained with respect, you should push him fast to keep his brain focused but do NOT push to the point of defensive aggression! You should never use voice or body language to intimidate a fear biter.
2. Aggressive Dog: An aggressive dog shows offensive aggression and thinks he owns the world and will take on anyone at any time. These dogs are very dangerous because they have a full bite (will bite, hold and shake). It’s all about respect when training an aggressive dog and you must first gain his trust and respect. You can accomplish this by pushing him hard and fast. Remember that it is always okay to use proper tools to keep you safe (a muzzle if needed).
3. Hyperactive: At least 50% of all dogs are hyperactive. These dogs are often both overactive physically and mentally. They crave for physical exercise and mental stimulation! Hyperactive can be caused by genetics, but it is most often caused by nutrition. One of the best diets for a hyperactive dog is the “BARF” (Bones And Raw Food) or, Raw diet. When it comes to nutrition, hyperactive is caused by the protein levels in commercial dog food. The protein in a Raw Food Diet is a different type of protein and this is why it is usually best for the hyperactive dog. Remember to study and consult your veterinarian before starting your dog on a Raw diet! If you choose to stick with a commercial dog food brand, check the label. If there is 25% or more protein it is way too much. The ideal amount of protein in a commercial dog food should be at about 22% or 23%. Puppies should not be fed Puppy brand food after 6 months of age because puppy brand foods tend to have way too high of an amount of protein.
To train the hyperactive dog, remember to slow everything down. These dogs tend to make us hyper while training to remember to stay calm. The heel should always be taught first to a hyperactive dog to slow them down. Start it at an incredibly slow pace and make more left turns than right.
4. Happy-Go-Lucky: A happy-go-lucky dog is most often the easiest to train because they are so eager and willing to please humans. However, these dogs tend to not retain training very quickly and easily so repetition is a MUST when training the happy-go-lucky dog!
5. Shy & Under socialized: From seven weeks to sixteen weeks of age is the most important time to socialize and desensitize puppies! Way too many people make the mistake of brining home their new family member before seven weeks of age and most of these people end up with a shy and under socialized dog! During the “Fear and Fright Stage” of the puppy’s life his memory is at his best! If he encounters a scary situation at this age he is bound to remember it forever and will be incredibly hard to train these fears out of him. This is why it is important to properly socialize and introduce him to new environments in a positive manner at this age! Remember that when choosing a puppy the last puppy in the litter to come to you is the most fearful and therefore the last puppy you want!
When training this dog try not to over baby him. He should be gently pushed during training and praised a lot when he overcomes fears and does the desired behavior!
6. Basket Case (Combination): A “basket case” dog is one with multiple personality problems. These dogs should be worked with carefully, and you should always first determine which other personalities are combined. Under socialization is most often the main problem with these dogs.
You must ALWAYS train to the personality of the dog!
(who's part GSD). I did Tracking with Linkin and he absolutely enjoyed it! He was the best in the class (AND the youngest! he was only 8 months old!!!) so Tracking sounds like it might be a really enjoyable sport for the two of you as well. I would still be doing it but have yet to find a query because no one wants to go lay in the snow lol
Obedience should be practiced first indoors for about 10 or 15 minutes, twice a day (or more if you can!), and the number one thing is PERSISTENCE. If you let him get away with something once because you just don't feel like correcting it will be twice as hard to teach him and get him to do it the next time 
