This area of training advice is one of the most difficult to cover as there are so many different approaches and thoughts as to how and when to reprimand a dog. What we are going to look at is a method that has been very successful for professional trainers especially when dealing with working dogs.

You must be very cautious about how, when and where you reprimand your dog if they have failed to obey you.

Despite what many people say dogs do have long memories. That being said it is very important no to confuse your dog when it comes to telling them off as it will only make the ongoing training more difficult.

A classic scenario that you will need to think through carefully is when you are training your dog off the leash.

You have let your dog off the leash for a bit of freedom or to perhaps retrieve a ball or a stick that you have thrown. Your dog picks up the ball, at which point you call or whistle your back to you – but no response. You try a second time but still no response.

If your dog fails to come back after two attempts at calling them – then stop calling them – drop the leash exactly where you stand and walk or run out to where your dog is disobeying you. At that point you can reprimand your dog.

Then with your hand firmly on their collar or on the loose fur on the top of their neck you can guide your dog back to where you left the leash, get them to sit down beside you.  Then – and only then – can you make a fuss of them.

If you had persisted with calling your dog back to you and eventually they did come back – when it suits them – then you have a problem.

If you were to reprimand your dog once it was back then they could be very confused.  In their mind they have now obeyed you and what they are expecting is praise and a fuss being made of them.

It is important to get out to the point where the dog is being disobedient – get your message across – take them back and let them know that they will get your affection when they are beside you.

Moving on to a point that I believe is very important to make is that it is not necessary to reward your dog with food treats every time they obey a command or learn a new piece of information.

All that is needed is for you to show them the one thing that they need – your friendship and your affection.

Get down beside them when they have performed well and obeyed – get down to their level and show them some affection – make a fuss of them.  Stroke their head, tickle their tummy whatever it is that you know they will enjoy and let them know that you are pleased with them.

Another approach but something that is not always easy for a man training a dog but is definitely easy for the lady trainers is to change the pitch of your voice for different situations.

When your dog has done well and you are pleased with them then talk in an excited high pitch voice – don’t be embarrassed – at the same time as stroking and patting them.

But when they have been disobedient then change to a deep stern voice.  You can emphasize your voice by grabbing the loose fur each side of the neck and gentle shake them as you speak to them – this way of holding the fur is similar to the action they would have received from their mother when they were in the litter.

If you can be consistent with this technique then it can be very effective and your dog will immediately know where they stand just from you voice.

There is no need to hit your dog – you can achieve all the control that you need with these simple techniques.

In closing we will go back to the statement made earlier about of food treats for rewarding your dog.  With many dogs the biggest challenge is controlling their weight.  It is not going to be helped by carrying a pocketful of nibbles that are handed out for ever little piece of good behavior by your dog.  Avoid it if you can it really isn’t necessary.