Dog Behaviour Training - Keeping a Check on Your Dog
Tim Thomas
Why Is Dog Behaviour Training Important?
Dog behaviour training will set your dog up to be in a healthy mental state and to have a great relationship with you. This will enable them to live their best life and be the happiest dog that is a loved part of your family.
Basic dog training commands are the backbone of a dog behaviour and training guide, where the best behaviour dog training can bring out the best in your dog.
This dog training guide will outline tips to train your dog for toddler safety and highlight minor behavioural issues that you can correct yourself with some patience and persistence.
Six Behaviours Important for Your Dog
Whether you have a new puppy or are training an adult dog, it can be difficult to know where to begin with training. These six behaviour training basics are great ones, to begin with.
1. To sit
Teaching your dog to sit has many benefits. It puts the owner in control of situations and brings your dog into a quiet and still position.
2. To stay
Knowing that your dog will stay and not follow you can give you some peace of mind in many scenarios as it can keep them, and others, safe.
3. To walk
Training your dog to walk next to you allows you to get out and about and explore some new environments safely.
There are some great guidelines for training your pup to walk on a leash and by following some tips to stop your dog from pulling on the lead, you can even enjoy those walks, rather than being dragged from lamp post to lamp post.
4. To come when called
Training your dog to come when called is perhaps the most important behaviour command that you can teach to keep your furbaby safe and out of danger.
Be sure to always reward your dog for coming, do not call them over to punish them for any wrongdoing.
5. To leave/drop it
Anything from chocolate to poop is potentially palatable to your pup but deathly undesirable for you to have them eat or roll in.
Therefore, the ‘drop it’ command is a great one to have in your toolkit.
6. Saying 'no'
A ‘no’ cue is a healthier way of showing your dog that their behaviour is unacceptable. This is one of several tips to train an aggressive dog that allows you to remain calm and in control.
Factors That Affect Your Dog's Behaviour
Puppy behaviour training can stop aggressive dog behaviour, which can stem from play but can escalate quickly. Be sure to consult some tips to stop your dog from biting if their play becomes too rough, too often.
Let’s take a look at some common factors that play a role in their behaviour.
Amount of exercise
If your dog has a lot of pent-up energy, it can often come out in destructive or aggressive behaviour. Both structured and free exercise are important to keep your dog stimulated so that it can direct its energy to the right things.
Your leadership
Your dog needs you to lead them, or else you will run into some behavioural issues. Being cool, calm and assertive are aspects of a good leader.
Your dog will not respond well to you becoming frustrated and angry and this can make some minor behavioural issues even worse.
Boundaries
Through consistent communication, you can set clear boundaries that your dog will learn to understand.
One mistake many dog owners make is giving their furbaby too much freedom too quickly. Boundaries help your dog to not become anxious.
Toilet Training Your Pup or Dog
Potty training your pup should begin the moment you get them home and does take several weeks to master. Expect accidents as they are bound to happen, however, if your dog has mastered toilet training yet suddenly begins to have accidents, it may be worth checking in with a veterinarian to ensure they are physically well.
Again, be sure to never punish or scold your puppy during the training period as this lack of positive leadership will cause issues for you, rather than help the situation.
You need to be responsive and watch for toileting cues, but also establish a routine where you take them to pee after certain events such as eating, sleeping or playing, and also frequently throughout the day.
The use of toilet pads and crate training can be effective tools to cement the training, but your calm and attentive presence is going to be the most effective way to teach your puppy this skill.
Managing Acceptable and Unacceptable Behaviour
Dog behaviour rehabilitation for when your dog is consistently presenting with unacceptable behaviour will include tips to train anxious dogs.
Poor behaviour will be due to a host of reasons that you and others can work through to improve the well-being of your furbaby.
Encourage acceptable behaviour
Consistency is so important here and all members of the family need to be on the same page when it comes to training your dog.
Positive encouragement for good behaviour can be through praise, pats or small treats.
Train your furbaby to be more independent
Through positive dog training and behaviour management, you can train your dog to be more independent which will help them ease any anxiety they have when you’re not at home.
Separation anxiety can be debilitating for dogs and can result in many destructive or annoying behaviours such as barking, scratching or chewing on the furniture.
Discourage unacceptable behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour should result in removing the things that they are seeking to get. Remember that pushing your dog away or raising your voice is still the interaction that they are seeking.
Ignore your dog, use a word such as ‘down’, ‘no’, or ‘off’ and calmly praise them once they have followed the instruction. If they repeat the behaviour, repeat the process.
Take Home Message
There are basic behaviour commands that are important for your dog to learn so that you can avoid situations where your dog is in danger, or put someone else in danger.
Once you have taught your dog how to sit, walk on a leash, stay and come when called, then the door opens for them, literally, to the wide world outside, where together you can safely explore new environments.