Sending your dog away to be trained is ineffective in my

opinion. You as the owner need some training too!

My Training Tips with TreatsBy Dr Rob Zammit

This article by Dr Zammit is designed for general information only. The views and opinions expressed in this article are of Dr Zammit.

For advice and information concerning training and feeding your individual dog, we recommend seeking the advice of your veterinarian.

It is thought that dogs’ first role was to help guard the camp. Most certainly, dogs would also have been involved in hunting. Since then dogs have found employment in many aspects of human life, and to some extent, have been genetically selected to fulfil defined roles.

Working dogs have been specifically selected for their ability to herd cattle or sheep. German Shepherds have been selected for their guarding and tracking abilities; Labradors of late for their trainability as Guide Dogs for the blind; Gundogs have helped humans in gathering food; the Maremma and the Anatolians are both breeds that will innately guard a flock of sheep, goats and penguins; even dogs to sniff out truffles, like the Lagotto Romagnolo. But all these dogs, while they adapt to the work easily, have to be trained to do it with refinement. And if you ever watch a well-trained dog work, you know instantly they love doing their job.

In my opinion, dogs that aren't trained are apt to dig in the garden, bark at everything and destroy clothes on the line. In other words, an untrained dog will find their own industry and you might not like the end result.

Training clubs are found right throughout Australia and these are the best place to train you to train your dog. Certainly, the cheapest way but also the most effective method in my opinion. Sending your dog away to be trained is ineffective. Your dog will continue to learn throughout its life providing you know how to train it. Plus, you as the owner need some training too. Also, obedience clubs can be a lot of fun for both of you and ensure proper socialisation for your dog, both with other dogs and humans.

Dr Rob ZammitBVSc Veternarian

Every dog owner agrees it’s their responsibility to keep the dog’s body healthy. Well, it’s also every dog owner’s responsibility to keep their mind healthy. And nothing does that better than some form of activity where they work with you, their owner. Agility, obedi-ence, herding, retrieving or one of the many activities available to dog owners throughout Australia. These can be accessed by phoning the relevant dog authority in your State.

Always use single word commands. “Come here” is NOT a single word. Sit, drop, heel, fetch, come are all

the common commands your dog can learn. If YOU are clever enough your dog will also be able to compete in obedience trials and other activities.

Teach with praise. The best reward your dog can receive is praise from you, providing you have devel-oped a strong relationship with your dog. Food rewards are reasonable if used in early training but when you think about guide dogs, you never see their owners using food rewards, rather they praise the dog with the words, “good dog!”.

If you use food rewards, be sure you don’t over feed. This can lead to obesity so the rewards should form part of the daily ration. Make sure the reward is very small so you can get on with the next training exercise. Do not continually change rewards as this can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances. And finally, always give verbal praise as the dog accepts and eats the rewards.

This last point needs you to think about how your dog sees you and what you are asking of your dog. The best trainers achieve this after analysing each individual canine they are training.

MY RULES TO FOLLOW FOR SUCCESSFUL TRAINING INCLUDE:

1. Develop a strong bond with your dog

2. Have Patience

3. Be Consistent

4. Always be gentle and use a reward

5. Never train if you are angry or having a bad day

6. Do a five to ten-minute session each day (not hours of training)

7. THINK DOG.