Making My Puppy Obedient

Shortly after moving to Florida I decided to get a dog to help ease the hom sickness. All my family lived hundreds of miles away and this was the first time I had been away from them. I went to the animal shelter and adopted a lab mix puppy and named him Archie. Archie had more energy than I was ready for. By the time he was six months old he was taking me for walks instead of me taking him. I needed help so I did a search for some professional dog training advice.

The internet came up with a few good selections and I decided to go with the service that claimed to do positive dog training. They came very highly recommended and all I knew was I needed serious help with Archie if I was going to be able to keep him. I was a little nervous on our first day meeting with the trainer because I was afraid I was doing everything wrong. The trainer assured me that I wasn’t doing everything wrong; just a few things wrong. Labs have a lot of energy and need lots of exercise. I wasn’t giving him enough time to run like his breed needed.

Dog training Florida style consists of long runs on the dog beach along with some behavioral modifications. Archie was the head of the house when I should have had that title. I had to take my place back and let him see who calls the shots. It was amazing how quickly Archie calmed down and became an obedient and loving pet. Our walks are much nicer as I’m not being pulled down the sidewalk like before. We spend a lot of time at the dog beach or at the dog park where he can run and exercise like he needs to.

The positive dog training that I enrolled Archie and me in was the best thing I could do for our relationship. I used to dread taking him on a walk and could never leave him unattended or out of his kennel while I was gone. But now he stays at home while I’m at work and doesn’t destroy my pillows, shoes, or furniture like he once did. All he really needed was more exercise and to understand that he’s a dog and I’m the master. Once that was established everything has been peaceful and fun; Archie is a wonderful pet and he has added so much to my life.