Plenty of Exercise, Lots of Feedback
 Dog Training Law # 1: It's much easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.
Dog Training Law # 2: Good habits are just as hard to break as bad ones.
So, to get 2009 started off on the right paw, we're devoting the entire month of January exclusively to bad habit prevention. And don't worry. Even if a few of those less-than-desirable behaviors have started to take shape, with some planning and dedication, it's not too late to turn unwanted behavior into upstanding behavior:
· Ensure your pup gets plenty of exercise. Channel that energy! An under-exercised dog is like a pressure cooker with closed steam valves. Always remember a tired dog is a well-behaved dog. · Communicate constantly. That is, don't forget to reinforce your pup's good behavior. Please don't take it for granted. Dogs, like people, need appreciative feedback too and a little goes a long way.
The idea of regular exercise - walks, jogs, hikes, and fetch sessions - is pretty self-explanatory. Communication, on the other hand, is a bit trickier. In general, it means letting your puppy know when he's behaving appropriately, for example, rewarding him with a bite of cheese or a belly rub when he's lying calmly on his mat. Or praising him for not barking when passing another dog on the street.
It may feel like you're rewarding him for doing absolutely nothing, and in a sense, you are: Doing nothing - or at least not acting or reacting inappropriately - is exactly what you want him to do.
Remember, your pup wants your approval (and your dog treats, and his daily walks, meals, games of fetch!), so the easiest way to prevent your pup from developing bad habits is to actively teach your dog how you'd like him to behave and then reward him for doing so.
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Now You're Talkin'
We know: Inter-species communication is not as simple as it seems. Trainers, researchers, and even veterinarians spend lifetimes studying the subject.
So for a little extra help in making your messages more understandable, deciphering what your dog is trying to tell you, and demystify the art of training, check out Dr. Ian Dunbar's AFTER You Get Your Puppy and How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks.
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