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Dog Training Tips

One of the biggest problems with puppies is that they want to use their teeth to destroy the valuable property of dog owners. This is one of the first behaviors that dog owners should look to eliminate. After all, dogs should be a positive addition to a family, not a destructive force.

Younger dogs will always want to use their teeth in order to really investigate their environment. They will begin, at an early age, to chew everything that they come into contact with. This is sometimes referred to as “teething”. Dog owners will want to have zero tolerance for any such activity. If dogs are allowed to have free reign as puppies in regards to what they chew on, they’ll likely continue the destructive behavior throughout their adult lives. In addition, the “teething” can lead to dogs that have a tendency to bite people when they get older. No dog owner wants this headache.

When dogs begin to bite something, owners should emphatically say, “No teeth!” Though it might take a little while for the dog to get the idea, the “no teeth!” command will eventually begin to resonate with the animal. In addition to this command, dog owners can take a more physical approach to stopping a teething dog. If the dog continues to bite things without any care for the verbal warning, then hold its muzzle closed until it becomes uncomfortable. Generally, dogs will allow owners to hold their mouths closed for a couple of seconds and then will become very antsy. If owners need to go further than this, adding enough pressure to cause discomfort to the animal is also a good way to eliminate this behavior.

Be careful when applying physical pressure to a dog’s mouth. Though it will teach the animal to stop biting, it could also injure a younger dog. It’s equally important for the animal to have a respect for the owner, but no fear. If the dog begins to fear the owner, then training becomes very difficult.

As a general rule, training should be done in a very calm manner. Though young dogs can be frustrating, it’s essential that dog owners keep their cool when instructing the animal. This will help keep the puppy calm and allow it to have a much better learning environment.

Many dog owners believe that simply yelling the word “no” is a good command for all situations. In reality, this is very false. While no does emphasize the negative connotation that is important, it does not do enough to teach the dog what it did wrong. When a puppy grabs a shoe or a nice piece of furniture and begins to chew on it, dog owners must say, “Leave it!” This command will not only let the dog know that it is in trouble, but it will make the animal think twice about grabbing that very item the next time. Simply saying “no” isn’t enough in most circumstances. Dogs are much smarter than owners give them credit for. They can associate certain commands with a pattern of behavior.

In addition to teething, most owners will want to guard against over aggression in their young dog. In order to stop it, owners must understand what causes the aggression. There are many different types of aggression in dogs. Most commonly, dogs will respond to pain induced aggression, which may be caused by something as small as a tooth infection or ear ache, can cause even the most docile puppy to respond aggressively to a situation. In addition, some dogs might be responding to some form of territorial aggression. This is a very natural thing in puppies, as they learn to protect themselves and their possessions. Most commonly, owners will notice that dogs will become very angry when another dog (or even the owner) tries to touch their food.

When dealing with aggression in puppies, it is very important to be understanding. Though dogs are not violent, they are inherently aggressive. Understanding this can help owners cope with certain situations. If a puppy is continually beating up another puppy or trying to attack a person a little more seriously than they should, then it’s important to correct that behavior with a strong verbal warning. Do not make the mistake of misidentifying this behavior, though. It’s natural for young dogs to be playful and this playfulness comes as a part of their development. They are also growing into new, awkward bodies that are changing every day. Much like a teenage going through a growth spurt, the bodily changes can sometimes be enough to cause over aggressiveness or not knowing their strength.

Training a puppy can be a very rewarding experience if done correctly. Many dog owners choose to send their dogs off to a training center in order to gain the necessary training, but some of the best dogs in the world have been trained at home. Though it requires an inordinate amount of patience to put up with some of the things that a puppy will do, it will ultimately create a much more loving relationship between dog and owner. Dog owners should be firm with their commands and non relenting in their rules. Setting a zero tolerance policy for certain activities can not only eliminate bad behaviors at a young age, but help the animal when it comes time to train for more advanced commands.