Confidence: an essential life characteristic

An article inspired by planning out and background reading for starting writing the follow up to 'Fight or Fright?'

What is the most important thing that a dog can be taught?

There are so many articles around telling us the cues or commands (on the maybe less enlightened sites) that every dog MUST know. I did it myself, on my last entry stressing the importance of installing a strong recall in every dog from a very early age. There are a number of cues that, for the sake of safety, responsibility and common sense, every dog should know and respond to well. This important thing is not a cue, a command, a request, or any kind of definitive action that either you or your dog will perform.

A good heel always impresses, however!

The most important thing you can instil in any dog that you bring in to your family is confidence.

Recall: Right from the start!

Welcoming a new puppy into the home is an exciting time. Bringing your cute new furry family member home is a wonderful feeling, watching them explore their new surrounding and all of the toys, beds and other treats you have likely prepared for them. It marks the beginning of a time of responsibility as well, however. You have brought a new little life into your world, and you are now responsible for them. High on the list of things to get right is teaching them the things they need to know properly.

"In space no one can hear you scream."

Behaviours, like sound waves, do not occur in a vacuum.

There are a number of opinions that I see frequently being expressed on various sites that tie in to the above. There is a particular saying about opinions and the fact that everyone has them which I always try to remember when reading opinions that I do not agree with. There are a couple that are frequently seen when it comes to the subject of canine behaviour.