We all know that children can’t raise themselves. The same goes for dogs. No puppy is going to grow up to be a perfectly well-behaved adult without at least a little bit of help. Today we take a look at the top 8 secrets for a well-behaved dog. Take a look at our list below and see where your pet training can improve.
Tips to Follow for a Well-Behaved Dog
Here are some of our favorite tips when it comes to making your dog the very best they can be.
Give Commands Only Once
Sometimes new dog trainers tend to continually give commands until their dog follows them. Just because you keep saying the word doesn’t mean your dog is going to follow it. When you give your dog a command, only give it to them once then point at what you want. If they understand the command, they’ll likely do what you ask. If they do not understand, they’ll look to you for guidance. By pointing at what you want, you at least give them an idea of what they should do. You also need to give them time to figure out what they should be doing.
You can repeat a command more than once, there’s no rule against it. This secret is giving your dog the time they need to do what is asked of them.
Give Adequate Playtime
As your dog grows, you want to expose them to as many experiences as possible This means you’ll want to get them out of the house and to socialize with other dogs.
When dogs are just puppies, they spend all their time with their brothers and sisters. Once they are old enough to be with people, they are taken away from their siblings. But they still want to be with other dogs. By giving them enough playtime outside and with other animals, they learn how social dynamics work. This makes for a much better behaved dog.
Teach Your Dog The Right Vocabulary
When training a dog, the key to success is consistency. This means you’ll have to name things in a certain way. This is why so many training programs call items by a certain name or they call commands a certain word.
It’s important that you consistently use the same vocabulary when working with your dog. Your dog doesn’t actually learn what word you’re saying. They learn what sound means what command. If you are constantly changing the vocabulary you use when training your dog will never learn what you want.
Keep A Schedule
Every animal (humans included) does better with a schedule. When you know what to expect each day, you can better plan for how you’ll respond to those events. It’s the same with your dog. You need to make a schedule of when you will get your dog up in the morning, when mealtimes are, but you should also schedule things like training and playtime.
Once your dog knows when events happen in their day, they will be able to tackle anything without a behavior problem.
Teach Your Dog That You’re the Leader
Never forget that dogs are pack animals. Some dogs have given up that instinct to a degree, but all dogs follow a strong leader or try to lead. This may mean that your dog will show you the utmost respect. Or it can mean that your dog sees you as the one who gives them treats and handles their every need.
Are you their leader or their doormat?
The best way for them to know who’s in charge is to lead. Give your dog lots of activities to keep them busy. Take them out for plenty of exercise. Make sure you reward them for good behavior and make sure you redirect unwanted behaviors. By giving your dog things to do and things to focus on, you ensure they’ll look to you for structure.
Learn About Teaching Puppies
When you get your dog, they already know everything they will need to know about being a dog. It’s up to you to teach them how to communicate. Read about what you can about training dogs. Look at what research says about how to deal with unwanted behaviors. And listen to what the experts say is best when training your dog.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Always remember that positive reinforcement always works better than using force. If you strike your dog when they misbehave, you’re not teaching them to stop that behavior. Instead, you’re teaching them that they should fear you. Instead of hitting your dog, treat them! When your dog completes your command, give them a high quality treat. Let them know that they will get good things when they do what you ask of them.
Always remember that the carrot works better than the stick.
Make Learning Fun
Remember that the relationship you have with your dog is supposed to be a fun one. If you didn’t want to have fun with your dog, why bother getting one in the first place?
Teaching your dog new commands or how to behave can be difficult, but it’s important to always keep your cool and to be patient. With just a little bit of work, you’ll soon have a dog that you can bring anywhere.
Final Tips for a Well-Behaved Dog
What do experts say when it comes to training a dog? Here’s a quick summary of the most important things to remember when working with your dog:
- Positive reinforcement works best
- Redirection doesn’t have to be a punishment
- Stay consistent
- Make sure you spend quality time together
As long as you follow these tips, you should have a well-behaved dog!