NHAA! Means Stop in Dog Language - Using Your Voice As a Dog Training Tool

By Annette Masse

You may not realize that your voice is one of the most important training tools.

You must use your voice in 3 distinct tones.

1. A command tone. This should be clear, but firm voice. Do not shout commands.

Also do not give a command in a pleading tone. Give the command like you want him to do it.

2. A praising tone. Praise enthusiastically, using a high pitch, happy sound. Praise him when he does anything right. Your words should vary. If the dog is not looking at you and wagging his tail, you are not praising effectively.

3. A correction tone. The sound is NHAA. It should be throaty and guttural. From now on you should change your NO to NHAA. Loud is not as important as deep and tough sounding. It should sound like a growl.

Probably the most important training a human can learn is this.

When your puppy was born it had a mother. You should remember that the mother dog had to teach the pup a few things. If the pup nursed too vigorously or chewed on moms ear, she would growl at him. Growling was her way of telling him NO! Growling means, stop what you are doing or I am going to bite you. If the pup would continue to do those "naughty" things the mom dog might snap at him, give him a little nip on the muzzle or even grab him by the neck and give him a gentle shake. All this means is that the next time mommy growls you better listen.

As a human we think dogs can understand us. As you get a new puppy you should take off where mommy dog left off. The NHAA sound should be done in a lower voice. Like a growl.

If you growl and your puppy ignores you, growl again this time louder. If that still doesn't work you can give a GENTLE shake at the scuff of the neck. Do not lift the dog off the floor when doing this. I repeat, just a GENTLE shake. We don't want to hurt the pup,, just make him realize you are his mom now, and you mean business.

These 3 types of tones are very effective. They are a training tool that you always have with you.

Unlike a clicker or rolled up newspaper. Speaking of rolled up newspaper. The rolled up newspaper can be another effective tool. For example. If you dog does something wrong, chews something or has a house breaking accident, you must correct the dog within the proper timing...because YOU were not watching him. Take the rolled up newspaper and hit yourself on the head 6 times, as you repeat.."I forgot to watch my dog." Be consistent with this technique as I have seen it work several times. Until you remember to watch your dog. If your dog laughs at you when you hit yourself in the head, praise him. This is the only time a rolled up newspaper should be used in training.

Sign up for my FREE dog owner mini course called "Love your DogZ" at the link below. Teaching you about your dog. Do it for your dog. http://ForTheLoveOfDogZ.com