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Training a big dog is very important. When your 120-pound dog jumps on your 90-year-old Great Aunt Gilbert it can cause big problems. A big dog also has a different set of problems than someone who has an 8-pound teacup poodle. A big dog can injure you when out for a walk, they can destroy thousands of dollars worth of household goods and more. In this article you’ll discover some important steps to follow to get your big dog under control and listening to your commands.
The first step to training your big dog has nothing to do with training. The first step is to make sure your big dog gets enough exercise. About 80 percent of the big dogs that I help train have so much pent-up energy that they can’t focus and have a hard time doing obedience.
When your dog has enough exercise it is much easier for your dog to live with you and it is much easier for you to live with your dog. When your big dog has had enough exercise it will be easier to train and many behavior problems will go away. A good quote to remember is: “The only good dog is a tired dog.”
Once your big dog is getting enough exercise you need to establish leadership. Leadership is extremely important. The most important part of having a big dog is making sure that he never becomes aggressive. Dogs resolve conflict by using aggression. There can’t be any conflict when you ask your dog to get off the couch, to drop a chicken bone that you may have dropped, to allow you to check his ears and paws .
Crate train your big dog. At some point in your dog’s life they will have to go to a groomer, a vet or travel. This will require your dog to go into a crate. Crate training can be done by associating the crate in a positive way. Tossing in your dog’s toys and treats and putting the food bowl in the back of the crate are all things that you can do to get your dog to like the crate.
Having a back tie in your house can also help when company comes over or you are too busy to keep an eye on your dog. A back tie is a simple leash secured to a very solid wall. A typical back tie would be an eye hook screwed into a very sturdy wall with a leash attached to it.
The big mistake some trainers make is thinking that a big dog needs to be trained with harsh, physical methods. One of the reasons dogs are so aggressive in the United States is from the training methods used. Constantly inflicting pain on a dog by using a choke, prong or electronic collar will take its toll on the dog.
There is only so much punishment any living animal can take before they snap, and that is exactly what is happening with dogs today. Punishment can be a very effective way to change behavior, but overdone it leads to aggression.
The best way to train your big dog is to use positive methods. Train your dog by reinforcing behaviors. The last thing you want is a big dog that becomes aggressive. Some important commands to teach are sit, down, stand, stay, walk on leash and come. (Eric Letendre)