Please Don’t Train Your Dog This Way

Nearly every dog owner wants to teach their dog properly. However, nearly an equal number seriously misjudge the amount of time and effort it takes to train a dog. This results in a familiar set of misjudgments that are often made that could, with more or less effort, be wholly avoided.

Dogs are definitely not furry babies and children. Even though an average dog has an IQ of a 2-year-old human child, there are fewer similarities and more differences between dogs and humans. A dog does not understand reasoning, cause and effect, and processing language systematically.

This can end up being exceedingly frustrating as the same command is repeated over and over, and the dog appears to ignore the commands. ususally it is not brushing off the command; it is likely that they don’t understand it. It appears it should be clear because they’ve displayed the proper behavior many times previously, but today they are being headstrong.

Many times, humans are surprised at dogs acting stubbornly. But their pet may have failed to associate yesterday’s rewards for obeying the call, “come” with today’s “come” because he did not connect the two in his mind. Some possible reasons and explanations based on how dogs learn have been suggested.

Dog owners and trainers have to be extremely patient. You will need to repeat commands many times for the dog to assimilate them. Sometimes the dog is not going to respond as you want it to. Many dogs take up to 2 years to go beyond the simple basic commands which they can understand.

It is of no use if you lose your temper with your dog and punish it physically. Many people think that physical punishment is the easiest way to correct your disobedient dog’s bad behavior. This is definitely not a way to inspire trust in your animal. Physical punishment has to be kept in reserve for the most unforgivable behavior.

Dogs, like humans, are more ready to follow people whom they like and trust instead of people whom they fear. It is only when they have no choice that they follow a person whom they fear. A dog is going to endure its punishment without understanding the reason behind it. And that is just one important reason why physical punishment should not be used for training dogs.

Some points about How Not to train your dog: – Talking to the dog as if it is a human and not an animal with a different nature than yours. – Believing that a dog has reasoning abilities to connect events across circumstances and times and coming to the same result as you. – Punishing them because they are not behaving the way you expect them to behave.

These methods are completely useless and are going to result in a frustrated dog owner and an unstable and fearful pet. So, to make sure that you do not get these results, change YOUR behavior before you try changing your dog’s behavior.

Learn how to select the correct Dog Bedding for your dog. Don’t let Puppy Potty Training become a prolonged or tedious affair.

Training a Headstrong Dog to Come

Dogs do not come in the naturally stubborn category. However, it takes them some time to understand what needs to be done. That is why it is necessary that the owner manages to establish his status of “alpha wolf”, really quickly. To make sure that the dog understands the necessary behavior and commands, you need to be patient, and firm. This challenge is going to include the training of the important “come” command.

It’s normal for dogs to probe their surroundings. They will smell anything and everything, dig up, turn things over, and snatch little objects. When doing a training session curtail any distractions by arranging to be as far away from other people and voices as practical. It’s a good idea to use an area that is clear of impediments or a room without small items on the floor.

Be sure to take full advantage of any spontaneous behavior you see. For example when you see the dog coming toward you, give a verbal command along with a hand signal to encourage this behavior. Try to use a command and gesture that you don’t naturally use during your training sessions.

Start the session by putting your dog in a sitting position. Move back a number of steps while saying ‘stay’ firmly, and using the hand gesture. Correct behavior should be praised lavishly, but do not reward incorrect and partial responses.

Repeat this as you continue moving back a few more steps. If the dog runs to you too soon, vocalize the “sit-stay” command and begin again. If the dog refuses to come at all you may have to use a toy or a snack to prompt him a little bit.

For dogs that are hesitant learners, or a little reluctant, leash and collar training may be necessary. Put your dog in the sit/stay position and begin to back up a short distance as you are letting out some excess on the leash. If your dog won’t come to you, give a gentle tug that is pronounced while giving the vocal command along with the hand gesture.

If the dog is too eager to come to you, use either a long leash or a rope which should be wrapped around a tree or fence rail. If the dog tries to move, the leash should be tugged as you say ‘stay’. This training can be done with the help of another person, but the dog is going to get confused about whom to obey. That is why it is sensible to have the dog’s focus on just one trainer.

Consistence as well as patience is necessary during training sessions. Human induced commands like sit, stay and come are not naturally understood by dogs. Yelling at the dog when it makes errors or does not obey your orders is quite a counterproductive exercise. You have to establish your alpha status by your body posture, a firm voice, and your patience while you wait for it to obey you. Physical leading and restraint is not such a helpful technique.

Many dog breeds are quite willing to be trained, and respond very positively to quick praise, for proper and correct behavior. If necessary, you have to show that you are the stubborn one waiting for them to ‘come’, instead of your going to them.

Learn to select the right Dog Bedding for your dog. Don’t let Puppy Potty Training become a time consuming or frustrating experience.

Chewing Dog – Now What Do I Do?

The jaw muscles of a dog are some of the strongest muscles in the animal kingdom. The Golden retriever, which is just average sized can strip and tear apart a thick Rawhide bone in just a couple of minutes. And that is why it is a pity that they can treat furniture the same way.

Different breeds will have different tendencies to chew and that is why owners need to know their own breed’s behavior patterns. However, mostly all dogs will chew on objects in and about the house. This is why it is important to focus their attention on objects intended for them. Still, making the dog do this can be very difficult.

Young dogs including puppies are not very choosy about the materials which they find to chew. However, owners can teach the puppies to keep away from objects which are definitely not to be chewed upon.

Foremost, it is important to point out that a little prevention can help avoid a number of problems. That is why it is wise to keep shoes, laundry and other items where dogs will be unable to gain access to them. Keeping children’s toys separated from the dog’s toys so mix ups do not occur is a good idea.

A large number of attractive toys should be placed both inside and outside the house, so that the dog has plenty of opportunity to chew them. Some species like hard rubber bones, while others prefer rawhide bones or plastic bones. It is not advisable to give many types of real bones to dogs because they can splinter easily and cause injury to the pet.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of toys made especially for dogs and some of them have treats in hollow interiors. A dog needs to work really hard to get to the treat and not only is it going to have a good physical and mental workout, but it is going to get a treat reward at the end of the activity.

It also does not hurt to take a firm tone with the dog when it grabs an unsuitable object such as socks or shoes. However, it is extremely unwise to yell or deliver hard physical punishment. Rather than yell, you will need to vent your frustrations elsewhere. Yes, this can be easier said than done but it must be followed in order to maintain the harmony of the owner/pet relationship.

The development of specific habits is going to take a lot of time and patience. Put the leash on the dog and the moment it approaches an unsuitable object, the leash has to be jerked sideways, and No said very firmly.

Remember that the leash always has to be jerked sideways, instead of the neck being yanked back. The muscles of the neck are strong, but the throat can be bruised easily. The jerking movement is not a punishment, but reinforcement.

If when outside the dog has a tendency to chew on plants, fences, or other exterior items, you can take advantage of a few commercial mixtures or home recipes to discourage such bad behavior. A little cayenne pepper paste smeared on the leaves of plants the dog is attracted to can generally eliminate chewing in merely one lesson. Then, there are commercial preparations which contain ‘bitter apple’ which has been known to discourage a number of dogs.

One needs to have consistency, persistence and patience to train a dog successfully. The idea is not to reinforce a new learning pattern, but to prevent a dog from following the natural behavioral pattern.

The easiest way to do this is to keep vigilant and calm and redirect the dog’s attention to objects which it can chew, so that it can follow its instincts. The purpose of the exercise is to keep your relationship with your pet happy, instead of losing your temper.

Learn to select the right Dog Bedding for your dog. Do not let Puppy Potty Training become a time consuming or frustrating experience.