Have you ignored your dog today?

Most of us smother our dogs with attention and affection – but ignoring them once in a while could benefit both of you...  

Dog trainer Mikkel Becker says a little cold shoulder treatment can be very effective at curbing some obnoxious canine behavior. A dog that jumps on humans to say hello is a perfect candidate. If they get a big reaction from that, positive or negative, you can count on it every time – and some people HATE that. Mikkel says to ignore the jumping and try as hard as you can not to react. Wait until the dog calms down and sits – and then pour on the praise and affection. 

Ignoring your dog can work with some other common annoying behavior, such as using their mouths too much and even barking. It will take some patience on your part. The dog won’t understand the cold shoulder at first. It’s the positive attention they get when they stop that helps it sink in.