How to begin training.

The first step in training an animal is in your own head. Decide who you are and what you are doing. There are two schools of thought in the training world
1. Teaching animal you have all the control. Listen to my commands and you will not be punished
2. Understand that you have NO control over another living creature. Then teach your animal that listening to you brings about wonderful things.

I am solely of the second world. Does that mean my dog runs my life? NO, not in the least. But it does mean that I understand that my dog makes decisions for herself all the time. She always has a choice. If I punish her enough she may run away or bite me. That is her choice. What I have done is teach her I will NEVER hurt her so she never needs to resort to biting. And that the more she listens to me the more fun she will have.

Punishment always benefits the punisher. The power that one feels when they control another is a very strong drug. But as with any drug to continue to feel good the drug needs to happen again and again. And eventually your dog will react to this. How will be up to your dog. Some dogs run away. Some dogs bite. and some dogs just shut down and curl up in a corner. Just becasue they aren't jumping on you anymore doesn't mean you taught him anything good. At best you taught your dog that you are no fun, and at worst that you are a dangerous person to be around.

Think before you punish.