Gordon Bonello, one half of the comedy duo Ġorġ and Pawlu who were at the Dogs Trust event yesterday. Photos: Ian Pace

Incessant barking, house soiling, leash pulling and aggressive tendencies are enough to drive the most patient of dog owners up the wall.

According to research conducted by Dogs Trust Malta in conjunction with the SPCA, almost half the dogs brought to the SPCA are given up because their owners failed to understand them and could no longer accept their natural behaviour.

Following the success of this year’s neutering and chipping initiative, Dogs Trust has rolled out a new campaign about simple and positive dog training techniques to help relieve fraying nerves and simplify the lives of dogs and owners alike.

The Dogs Training Made Easy campaign was launched yesterday by Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes during the SPCA spring fair, held at Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar.

When we bring a dog or puppy into our homes, we are asking them to change much of what is natural about their existence.

According to Dogs Trust manager Sarah De Cesare Dunkerley, the lack of basic training, such as sitting or walking well on the lead does not only make owners less willing to keep their dogs but also makes the task of shelter workers and volunteers a very difficult one.

When we bring a dog or puppy into our homes, we are asking them to change much of what is natural about their existence

Members of the NGO yesterday offered basic training tips to dog owners in order to give them a solution before they resort to abandonment. There were also free information booklets and ‘clickers’.

These are simple devices which produce an identical clicking sound. Clicker training operates on the technique of classical conditioning developed by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. A consistent pattern of clicking, accompanied by a treat, is an effective way of communicating with the dog.

Clicker training will be covered by Dogs Trust’s Education Officers in school workshops and in summer schools.

The campaign will run until August 19 and half-way through, Dogs Trust will be focusing more deeply on solving toileting problems.

As part of the campaign, a new educational website was rolled out to provide information in the form of training videos and detailed instructions.

Dog owners will also have the opportunity to contact Dogs Trust and request a free training booklet and clicker, which will then be sent to them by post.

For further information, visit www.dogtrainingmadeeasy.org.

Dog training – Dos and Don’ts

Do start training with your new puppy as soon as possible. Old dogs may also be trained, although the process will take longer.

Don’t let your dog get bored – stop immediately if this happens.

Do stick to one new command per training session at first to avoid confusing your dog.

Don’t shout or physically punish him – it will make your pet scared of you and may cause him to become aggressive.

Do try to use some hand signals with verbal commands, as some dogs may find it easier to recognise these.

Don’t chase him when you want him to come – he’ll think it’s a great game and will run away all the more.

Do try to end on a high note – your dog is more likely to want to train again next time!