If your dog begins showing signs of stress during training, you need to give him a break and evaluate your techniques. You want training to be a positive, bonding experience. Pay attention to the eyes. Dogs will squint when stressed, so if your dog's eyes look smaller than usual he might need a break. If your dog is staring at you without blinking or refusing to meet your gaze, these are signs of aggression. Your dog might be on the verge of an outburst and you should cease training until he's calmed down. The mouth, when closed, signifies tension and stress. A frightened dog will firmly close his mouth, and may flick his tongue in and out and lick his lips. Showing teeth is generally a sign of aggression, but as that's the behavior you're striving towards it's likely not the case unless accompanied by growling and/or the wrinkling of the muzzle. Raised, forward ears can indicate stress or aggression. If his ears are completely flattened against his skull, this indicates fright. These are both signs that training is not going well and your dog needs a break. When scared, a dog will do her best to look small. She may hunch over and lower her back, head, and tail. The tail might even be tucked between the legs. When a dog is using her full body to indicate fright, you are probably doing something wrong in training. Aversive training techniques essentially mean scolding or otherwise punishing your dog for negative behavior. Dogs trained using an aversive method are 15 times more likely to exhibit stress than dogs trained using positive reinforcement alone. Aversion techniques involve scolding the dog for negative behavior and sometimes use of devices like shock collars or choke chains to discourage negative responses. Dogs subjected to such methods show signs of stress more often during training sessions and seem to have less loving, positive overall relationships with their owners overall. Breaks are important. If a dog is not paying attention and showing signs of stress, he might simply need time to relax and be a dog. Behaviors like running, playing, and chewing should not be completely forbidden. Scolding in such instances will only serve to confuse and distress the dog. The alpha male approach is a myth of dog training, and can cause undue stress and aggression in dogs. While training, be a good leader but do not try to dominate your dog. The "alpha roll," which involves turning the dog on her side and holding her down, can be dangerous if done incorrectly and cause physical harm to the dog. It also leads to stress in dogs, which can turn aggressive fast. Refrain from such behaviors if your dog is getting antsy during training. Instead of attempting to dominate the dog, simply restrict access to rewards if a dog acts out. If your dog gets overexcited in the presence of treats, simply wait until she sits calmly before giving her any food. She will learn to engage in respectful behaviors when she realizes acting out does not result in a reward.

Summary: Watch for signs of stress or aggression. Avoid aversive techniques. Engage in good leadership techniques.

If you don't already speak the language from your cultural background, learning it is a great way to celebrate your family heritage. Sign up for languages courses at your school, cultural centre, or local community college. You can also look for free courses online and download helpful language apps for your phone (e.g. Duolingo). Ask for help from friends or family members that already speak the language. Wearing a traditional outfit from your heritage is an excellent way to show off your cultural pride and identity. Begin by asking your family if they already have a traditional outfit or costume that you can use, or research online where you might buy or rent one. If you are adept at sewing, you can look online for sewing patterns to make your own garments to wear. For example, you can rent or buy a kilt to wear if you're from a Scottish background, particularly for an important event like a wedding If your family has history near where you live, ask them to take you to spots where they grew up and hung out. Seek out locations that reflect your cultural heritage if your family does not have personal heritage near where you live. If it is financial possible, plan a trip to the region where your ancestors are from to fully experience the roots of your heritage. It can cost a fair amount of money to visit your ancestral hometown, especially if it is far away. Plan months or even a year in advance to make the trip. After all of your hard work and research, the ultimate way to celebrate your family heritage is to throw a party. You should begin to plan the part at least a month in advance and send out invitations accordingly. Invite friends and family to share in the music, cuisine, dress, and spirit of your family heritage.
Summary: Try to learn the language. Dress in a traditional outfit. Take a field trip. Plan a party.