
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 16, 1990                   TAG: 9007140146
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

A LITTLE HORSE SENSE AIDS IN TRAINING DOGS

The most important rule to follow when trainign a dog, according to an article in the current issue of Sports Afield, is never to give the animal commands you can't enforce.

Dogs learn by experience. If they see you can enforce your commands - by running them down, jerking the leash, snubbing the checkcord or triggering an electronic collar - they will accept the idea that you are the boss and they will obey your commands.

But if they learn there are times when you can do nothing but shout and blow whistles when they disobey, dogs will quickly test the limits of your control and watch for moments when they can misbehave.

The trick is to avoid giving commands if you are not in a position to enforce them.

Simply say nothing and go get a leash and a surefire enticement such as a pan of food. Show the dog the food. Since it is going to come to you anyway, command it to come. When its face is in its plate, leash it.

by CNB