I just wanted to make a note on a particular difficulty that can arise when training your pup. Being consistent with training can be especially hard when you have an audience.
People come into your home, or you meet someone on your walk and training goes out the window. During this time, when we are greeting people and chatting away your dog might be jumping up on someone or pulling at the leash. When someone knocks at the door, we might be consumed with greeting the person that we don't realize our dog is barking away and running up to the front door, perhaps even greeting them first. We lightly push them away and greet our guests. Then, chances are good, that your guests will pet your dog while they are being jumped on.
These times are especially important and pivotal. They are high energy situations, a lot is going on and your dog needs to know that you are in charge of such times and they are to behave as told. All your other obedience training will be strengthened if you train them under such distractions.
So, what do we do? Not greet our guests? I recommend telling your friends and family prior to their arrival that you are training your dog and let them know what to expect. This doesn't mean you can't even say hello to them, but let them know that you will be attending to your dog's behavior. When the doorbell rings you can tell your dog to sit and stay, and then greet your guest. Remember if your dog breaks the command, you must correct them regardless of your conversation.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but your dog will learn much more quickly with consistency and these greetings will become routine.
In addition, let people know what to do if your dog shows an unwanted behaviour such as jumping.
When greeting people on the street, you can say, 'one moment, just training my dog,' or something similar so they know you will be right with them. Get your dog into a sit and if you want your dogs to say hello, release your dog from the command.
Training can seem like lots of work at times, but remember, consistency not only helps our pups, but helps us too. We learn much more quickly to be attentive to our dog's behaviour with consistency. Also, training is fun, you just have to let your friends know it is a priority for you!
Best of luck,
Liv
