Timid Pups: Get the Help You Need to Assist Your Four-Legged Friend to Build His Confidence

Have you noticed that your dog is anxious or displays anxiety when in contact with other individuals or dogs? Is he uneasy around unknown or unanticipated sounds? Sport specific coaching such as hare coursing, fly ball, field trails, rally obedience, and tracking just to name a few, can furnish the element and structure that will boost confidence in your canine. To further explain how to accomplish this, dog agility instruction is the example we'll utilize in this writing.

Having stated that, while any sport classes provide a terrific chance for you as an owner to learn about the sport and how to train in it, your little one may not be ready to jump in. In fact, he may feel quite content under your chair or on your lap for an extended period of time before he is okay with getting started. This is okay. It simply means that the process to train him just has to begin slowly.

One thing to keep in mind as you begin is that as with many humans, dogs have comfort zones and a timid or shy dog learns within that area. Because of that, his instruction should start there where he feels safe. Also, the elements of the agility sport must be taught in small increments. That being the case, it is highly likely the prime place for the schooling to take place will probably be in the home.

This brings us to to the subsequent question. How do I educate my canine at home? Well to start, you'll require some guidance on the "how to" as well as dos and don't of agility. Fortunately, there are multiple websites and dog training places that can furnish you with excellent information related to agility training. Not to mention, there are a multitude of DVDs and books on the topic that furnish details, visual aids, and even lesson strategies about this subject. And they advise on all skill levels regardless of whether you are a first timer or pro.

Having some agility training equipment at your home will also prove to be useful. In obtaining this equipment, you can build it yourself, buy it, or even rent it at certain dog training retail stores.

What gear you pick for this training depends on the area you have available and location where you will train. For example, how large is your yard? Can it hold 6, 8, or 10 obstacles? Can the equipment stay set up or does it need to be taken down after every training session?

The security of the equipment is another important issue as your distressed dog needs to feel safe while being active with it. An ideal starting piece of stable equipment is an adjustable pause table set at 12" to start. This is a good point of reference for any size dog.

Understanding that your pup is shy and timid; set that table up in an area that your dog is familiar with. If he barks at unknown things, begin with the pause table in the house so he can get comfortable with it. He'll examine it and sniff it on his own or with a little urging. It's important to remember not to put a great deal of pressure on your canine buddy by making him accept the table. After all, as was mentioned, tiny steps work optimally with an insecure dog.

Using treats in a bowl or by setting his favorite toy on the table will help entice him to get up on it. Be patient as this step itself may take some time. If through the course of time the treats or toy don't do the trick, attempt to hold him while sitting on the table. With a bigger dog that can't be held, sit on the table and have him on a leash. If he backs away, try encouraging him to come back to you but be sure to only commend or treat him when he does come to you. Treating or rewarding him when he's backing away sends him a wrong message.

Given time and the right teaching, ultimately your pup will jump up the table with only your cue word. When you announce, "table", "mesa", "box", or whatever word you've chosen as your cue, he should get up on the table. From there, continued instruction should teach him to stay on the table as you back away and then come when you call him. As with the other training, very small steps here means the distance put between you and him is built slowly.

A contact trainer piece of agility equipment is a good transition from the pause table for your shy dog. The contact trainer is made in various designs. However, a 3-piece contact trainer with a mini A-frame side, a pause table, and mini dog-walk side is highly recommended. With this equipment, your pup can sit on the pause table and then be coaxed down the A-frame or dog-walk side. Moreover, training in little steps during this portion of his self esteem development, avoids the chance of overwhelming your four-legged friend resulting in him shutting down.

Administering these techniques to acquaint your little one to agility training and working with new obstacles will cause him to be successful. And as your dog overcomes each new piece of equipment, you'll get excited as you witness his confidence increase.

Techniques like these are taught by dog training experts. With so many dog trainers to choose from, you'll want to find one who will care about your and your dog's needs. Arizona Dog Sports is a premier indoor Phoenix dog training site created for the sole purpose of meeting all your dog training needs. In addition to dog training Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, and surrounding areas, they offer a number of other canine services. If you want someone who cares about your pet as much as you, visit http://phoenixdogtrainingsite.com to learn more.