Teaching Your Dog About The Word No

Like a child, your dog needs discipline so they behavesimply ‘that is not what I want’.
in a sociable and controlled manner. This is veryIt should be said, like all commands to our dog, in a
important for around the home and when they arevoice loud enough for him to hear. The aim is not to
around other houses or out and about on walks, tripsshout so loud that he becomes frightened. Starting
etc…This is not telling off your dog but really afrom the first day with your new puppy or dog,
process of education to the correct way to conductteach that ‘no’ means ‘stop, you
themselves – so you can be proud and pleasedcannot do this’. If he is doing something he
to have him as your pet.should not, say ‘no’ and move him away.
Saying ‘no’ is not so much an exercise as aGive him something else that he can do.
basic life skill that all dogs must learn. Every dogDo not shout, do not be cross. You are simply
needs to know that a certain word means ‘stop,explaining the rules to him.
that is not right’. Do not confuse this with tellingWhenever you say ‘no’, be prepared to
off your dog. We can assume that any mistakes heenforce this, by gently moving him if necessary. You
makes are because he did not know what he shouldcannot say ‘no’ and then ignore him. If he
be doing. Therefore, how would it help to tell himdoes not stop, you must go to him and gently move
off? It is purely because our teaching has not beenhim. If he does stop what he is doing, give an
complete, which is not his fault. Instead, the wordappropriate reward.
‘no’ should be an educational word, meaning