Owning a dog is a huge responsibility to uphold. Be the parent your dog deserves.
These tips will help you become a better parent and create a strong bond between you and your dogs!
Article Summary
Be a Proactive Pet Parent
In many cases, pet owners think waiting for your dog to make a mistake and then saying “no!” is the way to teach them.
This method is not efficient because it doesn’t teach them what the right thing to do in that situation is.
Unlike humans, we cannot tell a dog what is wrong and what is right. We have to show them.
Modern-day animal trainers understand the importance of proactive training also called positive reinforcement training.
Instead of waiting for the dog to make a mistake and then say no. It is much more effective to take the time and teach them the right way to act.
If you just got a new puppy the first thing you should teach your new family member is where to go potty.
Have them stay in the potty zone until they go, then praise them immediately with a treat. Remember, repetition is key when it comes to training your canine friend!
When training your new dog on how to act in the house, make sure to monitor them, then slowly let them explore, on their own, parts of the house where there are no valuables at their reach.
Every time they are being good and not destroying things or even barking/making a fuss, give them a treat. Slowly they will understand that this behavior is correct and naturally they will begin to act that way.
Keep in mind that there are no such things as bad dogs, if they do something wrong, it’s because they don’t understand.
Understand What You Want
Changing unwanted behavior in your dogs is always possible. It takes time, effort, and an understanding of what you want from your canine friend. Instead of thinking, “I don’t want my dog to bark when my friend comes over,” change it to “I want him to be sitting down politely when a friend comes over.” If not taught this way, your dog will never learn what to do the next time your friend comes over. In other words, to change unwanted behavior in your dogs, you have to teach them to act another way in that specific situation or they will never understand what the right thing to do is.
Dog Clickers are great ways to teach your dogs good behavior. The clicking noise makes it easier for your dog to understand what is right and what is wrong.
Win-Win Situation
Respect comes a long way in our world. The bond you have with your dog and how you treat them should be the same as any other in your family, built on mutual respect and love.
Consider thinking in a "win-win" mindset. Thinking empathetically for your beloved canine friend will help them feel safe and grow their confidence, thus creating a stronger bond between the two of you.
Safety is Priority
The safety of your family members should be the top priority of all people. Working with your dogs to ensure they are safe at all times is the same.
Teaching your dog to come immediately when called is the most important safety trick that all pet parents should teach.
Any other lessons can be put on hold as the immediate safety of your dog is more important.
Understand to Be Understood
Keep in mind that dogs have their feelings and thoughts just like us humans. It’s what makes everyone unique in their own way! To make a relationship work, both sides must understand each other for the bond to go any further.
In any relationship you have, you start picking up and learning more about their personality, what they like, and what they don’t like. Same thing for your dogs.
Sometimes, when you tell your dog to sit and they don’t listen, it isn’t necessarily because they are defying you but because they are feeling anxious and are responding to their natural instincts at that exact moment. Learning your dog’s likes and dislikes will greatly benefit the strength of your bond. This way your dog will also understand that you are someone they can trust and rely on if they are feeling nervous and overwhelmed. If your furry friend frequently suffers from anxiety or fear, check out this article about dog anxiety and fear.
Activities With Your Dog
Knowing your dog’s likes and dislikes can greatly enhance your understanding of what you can do with your dog. If your dog is always full of energy, consider bringing him to an agility obstacle course.
You can train your dog to run the entire course as fast as they can and this just brings more bonding time for both you and your beloved furry friend. If your dog is the curious type and loves to socialize, consider bringing them to a canine park/expo so they can meet all the other dogs as well! There is more information online about different activities you can do with your dogs.
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