Dog Obedience Training Secrets

Dog Obedience Training Secrets

As wild animals, dogs naturally follow the instructions from their pack leader. With the proper training, it opens up significant lines of communication between the handler and the dog.

Dog obedience training is one of the most significant and most effective things any owner can do for his or her dog. A properly obedience trained dog is a happy, productive and safe member of the family, while an untrained dog can be destructive and even dangerous.

Dogs are designed by nature to follow leaders, and to look for that leadership. As pack animals, dogs naturally follow the directions of their pack leader. In the absence of a strong leader, the dog may assume this role itself. Dogs that think of themselves as the leader of their human pack can become uncooperative, destructive and even dangerous.

Proper obedience training opens up significant lines of communication between handler and dog. The basis of any obedience training program is to gain the cooperation and respect of the animal. This respect cannot be exerted through rough handling methods or mistreatment. It must instead be earned through leadership and proper training techniques.



Basic obedience training consists of teaching the dog what to do and what not to do. When it comes to favored behaviors, it is significant for the dog to learn and respond to basic commands, such as heeling when walking, stopping on command, sitting when directed, coming when called and staying where the handler directs.

The list of what not to do is also significant when it comes to dog obedience training. Some of the don’ts of obedience training include – not jumping up on people, not forging ahead when walking and, not chewing the furniture or your property, and not getting out of control when exposed to novel situations.

In essence, obedience training involves establishing the social hierarchy that is as significant to dogs as pack animals. When your dog follows your obedience commands, such as – come, stay, sit, heel, etc., he or she is showing compliance and submissiveness. This is the same type of behavior a submissive member of a wild dog pack would show to the alpha dog in that pack.