When you’re frustrated or angry with your dog – don’t use his/her name. Give him a secret identity. The sillier, the better!
Yelling “Bingo!” instead of your dog’s name will make you feel better, change the mood, and keep your dog’s name from becoming a curse word.
It’s crucial that your dog always thinks his/her name is a good thing. When you say it, your dog’s tail (if he/she has one) should wag, never sag. Calling your dog should always be a good thing.
So next time your Fido overturns the wastebasket, or goes counter-surfing, or knocks over your plant; by all means yell. At the top of your lungs scream “Gosh darn it, Jehosephat! Didn’t I tell you not to do that about a million and a half times!” As long as your dog’s name isn’t Jehosephat, you’re golden.
If your dog’s name is Jehosephat – you need to pick an easier name!
Crate training is a great way to housebreak your dog.
Your dog’s crate is his safe place!
But even after your dog knows not to mess in the house, there are reasons to keep that crate around.
Being secure and unstressed in his/her crate will give you the freedom to board your dog if necessary. Simon, Boston Terrier, above, certainly looks comfortable in his crate!
And Booker always dashes into his crate, knowing that there will be a treat for him:
Boarding …
Even if you plan on taking your dog on every vacation – what if there is an emergency and you need to travel without him/her? Most boarding facilities use crates, especially at night – even if dogs are loose, playing, during the day.
Motels …
And if you are traveling with your dog, most hotels that allow pets require you to crate them if left in your room – even if you just dash out to pick up a meal.
Traveling
And speaking of traveling, having your dog in a crate is the safest method of having him in the car. If your dog is in a crate, he won’t be a distraction to you, the driver. And he won’t be a projectile if (heaven forbid) you’re involved in an accident. Booker (Boston Terrier, left) and Tango (Brussels Griffon), above, are ready for a road trip, secure in their crates.
At the vet
Knowing your dog is content in a cage will eliminate a cause of anxiety if your dog has to be hospitalized for any reason. We hope it never happens – but it could. Even after common procedures (like spay and neutering) a crate will ensure that your dog gets the rest that your veterinarian prescribes.
If Aunt Susie is afraid of dogs …
It’s even an option if you have guests who are afraid of dogs, or if you’re hosting a gathering and can’t keep an eye on your dog. Your pup “chilling” in his/her “house” lets you concentrate on immediate needs, without worry.
Turn the crate into furniture!
Keep the crate.It makes life easier. You can always get an attractive top and turn it into an end table!
If you’re not having fun training your dog, you’re doing it wrong!
If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!
21st century dog training means having fun with your dog. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong! Dog training games are best for training, learning, and enjoying time with your dog.
Everybody, including your dog, learns better when they enjoy it! Fast, fun dog training games are the most effective way to teach your dog anything. From house-breaking to the showiest tricks, games are the way to go.
Your future with the 2 Minute Training Method
We’re Hope and Fran, creators of the 2 Minute Training method. We’ve developed this method so that in short bursts of training your dog will learn what’s expected of him and make good choices. Instead of a rowdy hooligan, he’ll be a joyful part of your family. Instead of having to lock the dog up when company arrives, he’ll be an integral part of the conversation. Your dog will no longer pull your arm out of the socket on walks. He’ll sit nicely for treats.
Sound too good to be true? It’s not!
This miracle won’t happen overnight, but it will happen, and it won’t be a miracle!
You”ll both practice to make it happen, and you’ll have such a good time you’ll want to do more.
Who we are
How do we know? Because we’re training our own dogs this way. Not traditional “most intelligent” dogs. Not Golden Retrievers. Not Border Collies. Not even Papillons or Pomeranians. These are dog breeds that are among the “smartest” and “most trainable.” Nope – Hope has a French Bulldog. Fran has a Brussels Griffon and two Boston Terriers. Not breeds you expect to see in the Obedience ring, and yet they’re advancing nicely in competition.
We also train fun stuff the same way – like “crawl,” “roll over,” and “sit pretty.” Even training the dogs to put their toys away!
Just short chunks of time. Maybe a few times a day. During commercial breaks in the evening. Or just one session before work.
Have fun with your dog!
It’s fun. We look forward to our short training sessions, and we know you will too.
