Archive for January, 2012
Top tips to achieving a balanced and happy dog.
BE POSITIVE!
Positive reinforcement is more than just a way of training – it becomes a firm foundation on which you can base your entire relationship with your dog. In extremely general terms, if you reward a behavior that you like in your dog, there is a very good chance that this behavior will be repeated. When unwanted behaviors occur, constructive discipline is used rather than harsher punishments that are now seen to be detrimental to the dog’s development.
Constructive discipline aims to guide rather than frighten the dog into behaving. Examples of constructive discipline may include time outs (removal), sharp sounds to interrupt behavior and then refocusing the dog onto something more positive, or ignoring inappropriate behavior (such as jumping up), so that the behavior is not reinforced and eventually goes into extinction. Certain, more old-fashioned trainers would lead you to believe that when a dog is behaving badly it is trying to become top dog by being dominant over an owner. Very few dogs that are demonstrating controlling behavior are actually attempting to be dominant. In fact, the majority of behavioral issues are rooted in a dog’s insecurities or fears – both of which require patience and understanding on your part to overcome by helping the dog to learn to feel differently. Positively.
THINK DOG.
In order to have a truly balanced relationship with your dog, it is crucial to try and view the world from the dog’s perspective. Toileting in the house isn’t really a big deal in a new puppy’s eyes – he doesn’t know that it is a bad action unless we tell him. The same applies to chewing things such as furniture, or eating our food off the table. Over thousands of years, we have domesticated dogs and welcomed them into our strange, human world, and now it’s our responsibility to help teach our dogs how to live in it appropriately and with confidence.
BE CONSISTENT.
No training will stick unless everyone in the family follows the same rules, and enforces the same boundaries and limitations for the dog. For example, dogs begin to understand what we want from them only when we are consistent in rewarding what we like and giving constructive feedback of what we don’t.
KEEP HIM BUSY.
It is critical that any dog has a suitable amount of mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Exercise is key for success when preventing many behavioral problems, however, introducing mind games will all help tire your dog out and help him relax. These mental challenges include finding toys you have hidden in and around the home, scent based games, carrying out obedience exercises, and my personal favorite; The Choices Game.
Try to be reasonable, dogs often get bored and destructive if left alone all day while the owners are at work; if you were left for 8 hours in a room with nothing to do, you would also go as mad as those on Big Brother! If this is your situation, try to either come home at lunchtime and take him out for a walk or get a dog walker to do this for you. Doggie Day Care services are becoming a popular choice. I have seen more destructive and bad behavior due to boredom in the home than I see simple dog training problems.
BEWARE THE TEENAGE YEARS!
As dogs mature from puppyhood, they often undergo some behavioral changes as their bodies and maturity levels grow. Think about the occasional awkwardness of your teenage years – dogs go through many of the same issues. A dog’s ‘adolescent’ period can range anywhere from 6 months to 2 years old, therefore you should prepare for a few bumps in the road during this time. It is normal and to be expected (as with many rebellious teens, it’s just a phase), and as long as you continue to employ the responsible approach to dog ownership, return if needed to simple dog training exercises, and remain calm and consistent, then you and your dog will move forward into his adulthood with far fewer problems.