THE
EVERYTHING
DOG TRAINING
AND TRICKS
BOOK
2ND EDITION
All you need to turn even the most mischievous
pooch into a well-behaved pet
Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz, cofounder of Canine University
Copyright 2009, 2003 Simon and Schuster All rights reserved.
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ISBN 10: 1-60550-022-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-022-5
eISBN 13: 978-1-60550-728-6
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THE EVERYTHING DOG TRAINING AND TRICKS BOOK
Dear Reader,
My hope in writing the second edition of this book is to further inspire dog lovers everywhere to train their dogs using kind, effective training methods that help maintain a lifelong bond between dogs and their people. My hope is to share with you some of the secrets that can help you train your dog to be a loving companion and polite member of your family. The bonds we have with our canine companions hold us together during the ups and downs of life and provide us with the necessary stability to exist in and fast-paced world we live in. My wish for you is that you will experience the joys of living with a dog that is smart and capable. With the right guidance, your dog will be able to participate in as much of your life as possible. The more well-behaved your dog is, the more places he can go and the more activities he can participate in.
There is no adventure as exciting as training a dog and learning how his mind works and how he communicates. With practice, you will find that dogs are wonderfully intelligent and have a great sense of humor. I have worked with dogs for more than half of my life, and I've taught close to 2,000 people how to train their dogs. I can honestly say that training a dog is a trip you don't want to miss. I hope this book helps you continue on your journey toward training a well-behaved dog and that you have many happy years together.
Happy tails,
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For Cameo, our sweet wonderful girl. The first edition brought you into our lives, and the second edition kept you here!
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my husband, Paul; my children Mark, Eric, and Julia; and my Golden Five: Reggae, Cameo, Tess, Rush, and Bode. You are the inspiration for all that I do.
Top Ten Components of a Happy, Healthy Dog
Love and Companionship
Just Leadership
Safety and Security
Sound Nutrition (food, water, and treats)
Veterinary Care
Exercise
Grooming
Toys and Games
Comfortable Beds
Family
Introduction
TRAINING YOUR DOG IS a way to establish a line of communication, a common language that you will use to communicate with your dog for her entire lifetime. Whether you spend time teaching your dog simple obedience commands or complicated tricks, you will strengthen your relationship with your dog and build a strong foundation of trust. Developing a trusting relationship with your dog through the use of positive training methods will enhance the special bond that you share with your dog, and it will also make the quality of life you share all the better.
Training is a relationship, and like all relationships it needs to be maintained through lots of repetition and practice. Training has no designated beginning or end since a dog is capable of learning throughout its entire lifetime. Initially, training involves lots of practice and will probably include attending classes to learn how to practice when surrounded by distractions. Eventually, you may not train your dog formally every day, but your dog will still be learning new things every day, and participating in that learning is what owning a dog is all about.
Behavior problems can be detrimental to establishing a relationship with your dog and keeping it strong, and I have addressed several of the most trying ones in this book. The solutions are simple, and they concentrate on rebuilding trust in your relationship with your dog while simultaneously improving your dog's manners and comfort. Almost every behavior problem relates back to some need that has not been met. You will notice a pattern as you read about the solutions to each problem: A lot of dogs would not exhibit behavior problems if they got enough exercise. If your dog is experiencing a behavior problem that is threatening your sanity, consider increasing her daily exercise and see if this helps alleviate the intensity of the problem. The topics covered in this book range from teaching tricks to solving behavior problems, and I hope it inspires you to build a great relationship with your dog and have fun doing it. There is no greater reward for your hard effort than the loyalty and love of a faithful canine companion. Great dog companions like great human companions are not born. They are cultivated by spending time together, learning about each other, and learning how to develop the strongest relationship possible. It is my sincere wish that this book will positively change the way you view dog training and enhance your relationship with your dog.
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