Avoid These Common Dog Training Mistakes

Saying “HEEL” and snapping the leash to jerk your dog’s collar AT THE SAME TIME! This does not teach your dog to heel. It teaches your dog that the word “heel” means they are going to have their collar jerked. This confuses them because they do not know what they have done to deserve having their collar jerked.

Not differentiating between “Off” and “Down.” “Off” means get Off something. “Down” means lie down. So next time you tell your dog “down” to get them off the couch and they lie down and look at you, its because they were told to lie down there! They are confused, not misbehaving.

Bending over your dog’s head or getting in his face when giving a command. This intimidates the dog and the dog may shy away or even react aggressively. Either way, you don’t have a happy dog that wants to work for you.